Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Officially Released

August 19, 2008 by admin

Bugatti has just officially released the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with a unique removable roof at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, Monterey, California.

The modifications to the vehicle’s complex structure to make possible open-top driving was Bugatti’s response to customers demand. The new features of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are the slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof and carbon fiber doors to accommodate an integrated longitudinal beam.

According to Bugatti, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel while 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 load from the A-pillar is transferred to the B-pillar to dissipate impact energy in the event of an accident while the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine feature 10 cm wide carbon fiber elements that provide protection in the event of rollover.

Inside, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport features moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor in the rear-view-mirror and “Puccini” sound system with digital signal processor.

The Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is powered by the 1,001 hp quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine and could reach the top speed of 407 km/h when the roof is closed and 360 km/h with the roof off. Should it rain, the folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be open and when the folding roof is in place, the top speed is limited up to 130 km/h.

Only 150 units will be produced at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace and the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be available from March 2009 with the price of 1.4 million euros (excluding tax). The first 50 units will be reserved to the existing Bugatti customers but the first unit will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company with all profits to be donated to the charity.