History
Though the Bugatti brand goes back a century to the dawn of the automotive age, it had died out during the World Wars of the twentieth century. The name was resurrected in 2005 to build one unmistakable model: the Veyron. Though Bugatti has only made about 400 of these amazing vehicles, it has managed to create several special editions, not to mention the ability of the buyer to configure the car how he or she prefers. Any way you sliced it, a Veyron would set you back a minimum of $1.5 million.
Every configuration of the 16.4, as the production version of the Veyron was called, starts with the curvaceous two-tone body. The small, arched grille is similar to the horseshoe-shaped grille found on Bugattis of old, with the oval "Bugatti" emblem in the center.
The Pur Sang
"Pur sang" is French for "pureblood," which sounds a little creepy. Bugatti intends it to mean the distillation of auto design and the driving experience to their purest form. The Pur Sang variation of the Bugatti Veyron was created for the 2008 model year, and its body still carries the two-tone theme of the base model. This time, however, the bi-color effect is achieved not with paint but with clear-coated carbon and aluminum body panels. Only five Pur Sangs were built, each with a $2 million dollar price tag.
At the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu made its debut in honor of the company's 100th anniversary. The convertible's striking appearance comes courtesy of blue carbon fiber and polished aluminum. The Grand Sport open-topped roadster is limited to 150 examples total, of which this $2-million plus one-off edition is one.
The Hermes Fbg
Famed French design house Hermes has made its mark on the Bugatti Veyron with this special edition. Never heard of Hermes? Their lusted-after Birkin bags, named for actress Jane Birkin, can sell for nearly $100,000, to give you some idea of their status in the fashion world. Keeping with the Veyron's two-tone scheme, the Fbg is available in special color combos, including indigo blue and lime green. Even the grille takes on Hermes' signature locking-H motif.
The hand-processed leather interior of the Fbg was produced in Hermes' workshops and bears the leather maker's stamp. Why Fbg? It's a reference to the fashion house's headquarters on the rue de Fauborg Saint Honore in Paris. Like the Pur Sang, the price tag for this special-edition Veyron is around $2 million.
The Grand Sport
The roadster edition of the 16.4, called the Grand Sport, debuted at the Pebble Beach auction held by Gooding and Company in August 2008. The auction house sold the rights to chassis #1--which had not yet been built--for $2.9 million, not including the 10% auction premium.
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport does go topless, but not as much as most convertibles. The company calls it "open topped," which is as good a description as any. The tinted glass roof can be removed and stored inside the car, and there is a fabric canopy that can be popped up in a pinch if the open car gets caught out in the rain.
The company recommends that the roadster not exceed 217 mph with the top removed, which shouldn't be a challenge. That glorified umbrella, though, will only stay on up to about 80 mph. What do you expect for a probable $2 million retail price tag?
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
The masters in Molsheim took the world's fastest production car and made it even faster. You might not think it's possible, but check it out: 1200 bhp, 1106 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed limited to 258 mph "to protect the tyres," Bugatti says. That didn't stop Bug testers from letting it all out on the company test track, reaching 267 mph. There's a special World Record Edition of the Super Sport, and it can be had in paintless lacquered carbon fiber.
- Engine:16-cylinder 8-liter engine
- Horsepower: 1,001 hp
- Top speed: 253 mph
- 0-62 mph: 2.5 seconds
- Price: $1,500,000 and up
- Years built: 2005-2011
