The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the exciting new holder of the title of world’s fastest roadster, has made its exciting debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. While other supercar-level convertible models such as the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster go with a “true convertible” design with a fully stowable roof, the Bugatti goes a different route.
The Veyron Grand Sport offers open top motoring at the supercar level, though it is not a true convertible model. Bugatti determined that releasing a Veyron convertible would not provide the safety at high speed the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is known for, so they opted for a Targa model in the Grand Sport, with a removable polycarbonate roof.
The Grand Sport roadster model is not simply a chop job on a standard Bugatti Veyron 16.4. Bugatti has taken great pains to ensure the structural rigidity of the Grand Sport, making changes throughout the canopy and adding structural enhancements for both stability at speed and safety in the event of a crash. The front windshield is taller with a more upright look, and carbon fiber longitudinal beams and other structural enhancements protect the occupants and the Veyron Grand Sport’s sheer speed capabilities.
And fast the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is. An advantage to going with the targa top is that Bugatti has tuned the Grand Sport to maintain the hard top Veyron 16.4’s top speed of 253 mph when the roof is in place, with the top speed dropping to a still-ridiculous 223.7 mph! Imagine the wind blowing your face off at speeds like this, and you can get a feel for why the Veyron Grand Sport should be as exciting as any convertible or other roadster model on the market.
The Veyron Grand Sport base price? A cool 1.4 million Euros, if you can find one. Production will be limited to just 150 units, with 50 earmarked for current Bugatti customers who feel the need to own two Veyrons. Read on for all the details, directly from the technological wizards at Bugatti…
New Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport to be unveiled on 16 August 2008 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Official Bugatti Automobiles, S.A.S. Press Release
Molsheim/Pebble Beach, August 16, 2008 – The world’s most significant celebration of the automobile takes place annually in Monterey, California. This year, it will see some of the most elegant, exclusive, and valuable vehicles ever produced in over 100 years of motoring, with Bugatti set to play a prominent role. On the evening prior to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the highlight of the event, the marque renowned for impeccable automotive solutions, aesthetics and driving dynamics will unveil a second model to the world – the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with a unique removable roof.
In response to customer demand, significant modifications have been made to the vehicle’s complex structure to make possible open-top driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car. Incorporating a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features, it is the world’s fastest and most exciting roadster. It is immediately recognizable as a result of its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.
The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong while weighing an absolute minimum – it is a central element of the vehicle’s structure. As the roof is an integral part of this, removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle’s rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.
As a result, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.
The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam.
In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection should the car roll.
Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor in the rear-view-mirror, and the “Puccini” sound system with digital signal processor.
When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with roof off. Should it rain, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time. When this folding roof is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h.
Assembled by hand at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be available from March 2009 at the price of 1.4 million euros (excluding tax). Just 150 examples will be made, with the first 50 of these going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. The first vehicle is certain to be highly sought after, and Bugatti has taken the decision to donate this specific car to charity. It will be sold to the highest bidder at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company.
Base Price: 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - €1.4 Million
2009 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport:
2012 Bugatti Veyron.
source:rsportscars.com
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