408.84 km/h: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse sets world speed record for open-top production sports carsWolfsburg/Molsheim, 11 April 2013 – The world’s fastest roadster is a Bugatti.The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse has set the world speed record for
open-top production sports cars at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in
Ehra-Lessien where TÜV, the renowned independent German organisation for
Technical Inspection and Certification, has officially confirmed that a top speed
of 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) was achieved. The Vitesse was driven by the
Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu. The World Record Car will be unveiled to the
world for the first time at the Shanghai Motor Show 2013 in April.
It is now official: the world’s fastest roadster is a Bugatti. Following the spectacular
record-breaking drive of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport in 2010, during which the
coupé achieved a top speed of 431.072 km/h, witnessed and officially confirmed by the
renowned independent German organisation for Technical Inspection and Certification
TÜV, an impressive speed that remains unparalleled to this day, Bugatti has added yet
another milestone. The open top version of the 1,200 PS sports car, the Bugatti Veyron
16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, now also officially holds the world record. In the presence of
TÜV, the open-top super car reached a maximum speed of 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph)
at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien, making it the fastest
open-top production sports car in the world.
“When we introduced the Vitesse, we established the top speed for open-top driving to
be 375 km/h. Still, we could not let go of the idea of reaching the 400 km/h mark with
this car as well. The fact that we have succeeded in reaching 408.84 km/h is a thrill for
me, and it reaffirms once again that Bugatti is the leader when it comes to technology
in the international automotive industry”, said Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, President of
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
The Vitesse was driven by the Chinese entrepreneur and passionate race driver
Anthony Liu. After achieving the world record in the Vitesse, the 29-year old described
his experience: “This was a very exciting moment. In our training sessions we
exceeded 400 km/h but the fact that I could surpass this unbelievable speed once
again and even higher has made me very proud. The car is even at such high speeds
incredibly comfortable and stable. With an open top, you can really experience the
sound of the engine and yet even at higher speeds I did not get compromised by the
wind at all.”
2 Bugatti
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse has been on the market since the spring
of 2012. Its power comes from an 8 litre W16 engine, which pours 1,200 PS and a
torque of 1,500 Nm at 3,000 to 5,000 rpm to the road. Its high performance handling
can be attributed to a racing chassis which together with extremely fast-acting shock
absorbers and reinforced anti-roll bars guarantees exact control of both the four-wheeldrive
system and the entire vehicle. Other factors that enable such performance at the
upper limits include a standard carbon monocoque with high torsional rigidity and an
outer shell made entirely of carbon fibre. Keeping wind noise and air turbulence to a
minimum in the vehicle’s interior is a particular concern with open-top vehicles. In the
Vitesse, a specially developed roof spoiler along with an intricately designed windbreak
guarantees calm open-top driving; indeed these were preconditions for reaching the
record-breaking speed of 408.84 km/h.
For the record-breaking drive, the Vitesse received a powerful dual-colour scheme in
black and orange, perfectly translating its inner qualities into its exterior appearance.
This special Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse will be available in a World
Record Car (WRC) Edition, which is limited to eight vehicles. The price per vehicle is
1.99 million euros (plus tax).
The World Record Car will be unveiled to the world for the first time at the Shanghai
Motor Show 2013 April 21-29.
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