Bugatti Veyron

Rumors about an open-top version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 circulated for a long time now, but we were finally able to see the vehicle during its official launch at the Pebble Beach Lodge on August 16, 2008.

Called the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the new Bugatti will be a roadster with a unique, removable roof. The open-top Grand Sport allows driver and passenger to feel even closer to the car’s breathtaking power. Those who consider the wind in their hair and the roar of a thoroughbred racing engine in their ears to be essential to true driving enjoyment will find their perfect motor car in this new Bugatti. Even with the top on the Grand Sport does not loose any of its fascination and conveys to the passenger a new exciting panoramic view.

Production began in Spring 2009.

Updated 01/27/2011: Bugatti came to the Qatar Motor Show for the first time ever and brought the 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport along with them for the ride. It may be an old model, but it was the perfect occasion to reveal new images of the supercar, and to christen Bugatti’s first appearance. Hopefully they will grace us with their presence at future show! Check out the gallery to see the new pictures of the Grand Sport!

UPDATE 04/27/2012: Bugatti has unveiled a new video for their Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport showing the car in action with a closed roof. A second video presents the Blanc Noir version with an open roof.

Bugatti Veyron

Exterior and Interior

When developing the Veyron Grand Sport, Bugatti wanted to keep the same performance found in the coupe version while adding a whole new set of challenges. In response to customer demand, significant modifications have been made to the vehicle’s complex structure so as to enable open-top driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car.

The new model will be recognized by a slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and a lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof. The monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fiber 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 fiber, 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-centimeter wide carbon-fiber elements to offer protection in the event of a roll.

Engine

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is powered by the same 8 liter W16 engine that develops a total of 1 001 HP at 6 000 rpm and a peak torque of 1 250 NM from 2,200–5,500 rpm. Mated to a 7 Gear DSG transmission, the engine will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 7.3 seconds. The Grand Sport is capable of hitting a top speed of 252 mph, but can only achieve 217 mph with the roof down.

Prices

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is priced at 1.4 million euro, or $1,900,000 at the current exchange rates (taxes and transport excluded).

Competition

There are no other cars that deliver a total of 1001 HP, but there are other cars that deliver the same level of performance, but none of them are open-top models. The list includes the SSC Ultimate Aero, the Aston Martin One-77, and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce.

The Ultimate Aero and the Veyron have been at war since battling the top speed record for the past few years. The Ultimate Aero is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 1287 HP and sprints the car to an impressive 270 mph, all while being much cheaper than the Veyron.

The One-77 is powered by a naturally aspirated 7.3-liter V12 engine that delivers 750 HP and can hit a top speed 220 mph. The LP670-4 SV is powered by a 6.5 liter V12 engine that delivers 670 HP and can hit a top speed of 212 mph.