The King is back: Veyron SS runs near 270Mph

[McLaren]

I wouldn't be surprised if that body is also what it took to contain all the mechanics in that car while still being aerodynamic & having that out-there design.

You have to think about the years it took to get this far. The car needed to do 250Mph, it needed to be luxurious, it needed to have a daily drivable 1,000Hp, etc. For the engine to have 1,000 horsepower & not overwhelm the driver, it needed to be built a certain way & this takes an effect on something else. It needed to be 250Mph capable & that took an effect on another part. The design needed to be sleek & aero, so something else needed to be changed to accommodate that. This is where all the super expensive, custom made mechanics came in.

So many things in the Veyron had to push & pull for something else to work yet still achieve everything on its list, and I honestly think that's why it ended up looking like it did. To Bugatti, that shape is obviously the best it could be to hold 1,000Hp & everything to run that engine, as well as the fat tires, easy ride, & creature comforts.

You look at the Koenigsegg or Zonda & you can see the same engineering isn't there so a sacrifice (mostly luxurious ride) can be made.

The question isn't so much, why didn't Bugatti build a car like others have done, but more so, why don't they build a car to the same level as Bugatti have done?

And the simple answer is cost effectiveness. What Ferrari & everybody else builds today is pretty much at the limits of how advanced you can make your supercar without going into the red. Any further to get near the Bugatti & you'll be history before your next model is even planned out. And for me personally, that's what makes this car so great & why I continue to admire Piech's amazing passion for the automobile.

I really do not think a car like this will ever come in again in the next 10-15 years. It was already built by the biggest auto group & had a perfectionist as its creator who made sure no expense was sparred. I really do not think anyone like Ferrari or Porsche will quite match this car again on the level of insanity & numbers behind.

Naturally, there will be faster, there will be more luxuries, & there will be bigger numbers. IMO though, it'll all come at a shortcut elsewhere. A smaller engine, a design built just for aero, harder to drive every day, etc. And that's why I think this car is truly in a class of its own.

 

[niky]

The body was actually penned before the car was engineered. A lot of money was spent in R&D to get everything to fit within the envelope provided and to tweak the design for better high speed aerodynamics. The initial design had the aerodynamics of a brick.

 

[Stotty]

The question isn't so much, why didn't Bugatti build a car like others have done, but more so, why don't they build a car to the same level as Bugatti have done?

And the simple answer is cost effectiveness. What Ferrari & everybody else builds today is pretty much at the limits of how advanced you can make your supercar without going into the red. Any further to get near the Bugatti & you'll be history before your next model is even planned out. And for me personally, that's what makes this car so great & why I continue to admire Piech's amazing passion for the automobile.

I really do not think a car like this will ever come in again in the next 10-15 years. It was already built by the biggest auto group & had a perfectionist as its creator who made sure no expense was sparred. I really do not think anyone like Ferrari or Porsche will quite match this car again on the level of insanity & numbers behind.

Naturally, there will be faster, there will be more luxuries, & there will be bigger numbers. IMO though, it'll all come at a shortcut elsewhere. A smaller engine, a design built just for aero, harder to drive every day, etc. And that's why I think this car is truly in a class of its own.

Great post 👍

I'm not a big fan of the Veyron as to me it lacks passion, but I can still appreciate that it's a miracle from an engineering perspective

 

[Ibonibo]

I saw it on Top Gear. That was funny that captain slow is the 2nd fastest ...
not a lot of people who can experience that.
I just don´t understand what bbc pays so that they can actually drive those cars.
In germany , there is a show called grip, with a moderator who is a race driver... the test driver of bugatti didn´t wanted to let him drive the veyron even with a c-lisence. The mod pushed so long till they let him try ;D

To drive The 400kmh on the Veyron, Michelin states to not drive longer for 15min because the pneus are not tested that much. thing is , the veyron can only last 12 min at 400km/h, after that no more fuel in the tank. Insane in the membrane

 

[Exorcet]

Yea! Stupid heavy slow car. It needs to be faster! Fastest around the track isn't fast enough!

Caparo, Ultima

I don't get this "remove the luxury crap" as a huge part of it is just being a luxury car.

If Bugatti wants to build a luxury car, it's fine. I'm just not interested. A while ago, I had heard rumors of the SS, but it was supposed be a monster track car with 6 minute Ring laps. I was interested in it then, but when I found it that it was just a faster Veyron, I lost interest again. Until it turned out to be a faster Veyron with more track worthiness. It still made a ton of sacrifices on the performance end though. The biggest two being:

1. Pointlessly chasing top speed

2. Being a Bently and a sports car at once

It's a good car, just not my type. I'd take the so called undriveable Speed 12 over it if given the choice.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

I would soooo buy one of these. I wouldn't care for the awfully crazy style, the awfully crazy price, the awfully crazy power, and the awfully crazy impracticality. I know that I'd be driving one of the most expensive production cars ever (all that's higher is the Koenigsegg CCXR, which is priced at 1.9 Million Dollars, and they only made 8.) Sure there are cars that are sold higher, but they are track-specials (i.e. 599XX, MC12 Competizione, FXX.) The only car that is possibly better is the infamous SSC Aero, which hits 270m/h. Still, there ARE better picks on the market such as:

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia (Fire Hazard)
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (EV coming in 2013)
2012 Lexus LF-A (sold out)
2011 Ferrari 599GTO Fiorano (sold out)
2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
2011 McLaren MP4-12C (Welcome back, McLaren)
2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera (Special lightweight model)
2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI S Tronic GT (AWD, V10)
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo (0-60 in 2.8sec!)
2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (first production Corvette to hit 200m/h)
2010 Nissan GT-R (aww, no more launch control)
2010 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe (awwww yeahhh!)
2010 BMW M3 (last year for the high-revving V8. Damn Twin-Turbos.)


And maybe some older models:

2006 Ford GT
2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
2003 Enzo Ferrari
2008 BMW M5

Better choices.

EDIT: Just got my September issue of MT, and it seems they already got there hands on a Super Veyron. Heres the manufacturers specs

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport:
Price: $1,980,000
Drivetrain: Mid-Engine, All Wheel Drive
Engine: 8.0L/1001hp/922lb.-ft. Quad Turbo DOHC 64-Valve W16
Transmission: 7 Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Weight: 4,350lbs.
0-60m/h: 2.7 seconds
Braking, 60-0m/h: 103ft.
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 8/14mpg
Co2 Emissions: 1.96 lb./mile

As you can see it's not as great as the SS, but do you really need one? These are the best specs for a car. Period. (Well, maybe not the weight. Or the MPG. Or the Co2.)

 

[stig's helmet]

sorry to bring this back up (month old thread) but do you think it will be in the full version of gt5? or maybe as DLC?

 

[Stotty]

Autocar seem to like the Supersport quite a lot.

Here are a couple of quotes from thier test that give some context to the incredible performance...

"when the crankshaft of this car’s 8.0-litre W16 engine is rotating at 6400rpm in seventh gear, it will quaff its way through a 100-litre tank of fuel in just under eight minutes"

"in the same time that it takes a McLaren F1 to get from rest to 200mph, the Veyron SS can go from zero to 200mph and back again – and then do zero to 60mph as well"

 

[spyrrari]

Here is the video from autocar...:



👍

spy.

 

[Bram Turismo]

For some very odd reason I never appreciated the Veyron. I still don't. I really don't know why. I know it's the fastest car in the world and the best piece of automotive engineering, but still this car doesn't do anything to me when I look at it. The speed is ridiculously fast, but what's the point? I really don't get the point with a car only a handful of people on the face of this Earth can afford, and even so you cannot possibly enjoy a 258 mph car on a 50 mph limited road.

I don't know, perhaps there's no point and it's all about engineering appreciation. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not a hater, but the Veyron just never moved me in any way like other supercars. But then again, the Veyron is a hyper-car, so I can't really compare it to anything else.

 

[McLaren]

For some very odd reason I never appreciated the Veyron. I still don't. I really don't know why. I know it's the fastest car in the world and the best piece of automotive engineering, but still this car doesn't do anything to me when I look at it. The speed is ridiculously fast, but what's the point? I really don't get the point with a car only a handful of people on the face of this Earth can afford, and even so you cannot possibly enjoy a 258 mph car on a 50 mph limited road.

I don't know, perhaps there's no point and it's all about engineering appreciation. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not a hater, but the Veyron just never moved me in any way like other supercars. But then again, the Veyron is a hyper-car, so I can't really compare it to anything else.

I'm guessing you mis-worded that because the majority of the Veyron's engineering is what allows it to be driven at normal speeds so easily & comfortably.

 

[Casio]

you cannot possibly enjoy a 258 mph car on a 50 mph limited road.

By that logic you can't enjoy a 100mph car on a 50mph limited road.

 

[spyrrari]

For some very odd reason I never appreciated the Veyron. I still don't. I really don't know why. I know it's the fastest car in the world and the best piece of automotive engineering, but still this car doesn't do anything to me when I look at it. The speed is ridiculously fast, but what's the point? I really don't get the point with a car only a handful of people on the face of this Earth can afford, and even so you cannot possibly enjoy a 258 mph car on a 50 mph limited road.

I don't know, perhaps there's no point and it's all about engineering appreciation. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not a hater, but the Veyron just never moved me in any way like other supercars. But then again, the Veyron is a hyper-car, so I can't really compare it to anything else.

I agree with you for the most part,as i never appreciated it aswell at first,but after seeing it in real life now for several times i do....like you said it is an engineering wet dream for all technically minded people and it somehow shows that when seing it in real life...

So,yes...,its a hyper car,and thats the whole point of it!!...




spy.

 

[Stotty]

As was said very eloquently by McLaren in post #121, the Veyron is a unique car... maybe it doesn't excite the soul like a typical Italian supercar, but from an intellectual point of view it's unrivalled as a road car.

Personally, I find the outright performance startling, but this wouldn't be a car I'd ever consider buying even if I was a multi-billionaire.

 

[Bram Turismo]

By that logic you can't enjoy a 100mph car on a 50mph limited road.

That's not what I meant. What I mean is that you don't buy this car to enjoy going 50 mph. That would be all of your money wasted. You'd be driving along, not faster than a Corolla with the most brilliant engine in the rear which at that given moment isn't more purposeful than the 1.4L of the Corolla behind you.

It's a monumental piece in car's history, but in my view there's no point in actually owning one. It's more of a museum item rather than something you daily drive. I just can't cross the thought that you would purchase this car to do daily driving when it's no more comfortable and luxurious than a Lexus or your average Merc.

 

[Stotty]

I use my Porsche as a daily driver... it's not exactly comfortable and you can only use a fraction of its performance most of the time... but it's still a joy to drive

 

[IVKillerVI]

The already well known Veyron Super Sports was unveiled today & regained the crown as the world's fastest production car by Guinness.

The official speed when averaged comes to 267.81Mph. But, here's a weird curve ball; all production models will be limited to 258Mph. Either way, what a car.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/04/bugatti-veyron-16-4-super-sport-sets-land-speed-record-at-267-81/

Only problem I see with the looks is the rims....I've never liked colored rims....especially not orange, but thats just my opinion.
Nice car though, I just cant wait to see the car that manages to top that though, and no I'm not saying that because I hate the Veyron, I just love fast cars.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

That's not what I meant. What I mean is that you don't buy this car to enjoy going 50 mph. That would be all of your money wasted. You'd be driving along, not faster than a Corolla with the most brilliant engine in the rear which at that given moment isn't more purposeful than the 1.4L of the Corolla behind you.

It's a monumental piece in car's history, but in my view there's no point in actually owning one. It's more of a museum item rather than something you daily drive. I just can't cross the thought that you would purchase this car to do daily driving when it's no more comfortable and luxurious than a Lexus or your average Merc.

Well wouldn't you feel a sense of "c'mon, I'm in a Veyron. Even if I'm not legally allowed to accelerate faster than said speed limit, soccer moms and Corolla kids will still know the wrath of me!"

 

[IVKillerVI]

Here is the video from autocar...:



👍

spy.

Alright, I take back what I said about the original photo, that looks pretty damn nice.
But now instead of rims I don't like that little chrome accent thing on the back, but still love the car.

 

[Keef]

By that logic you can't enjoy a 100mph car on a 50mph limited road.

It's easier to enjoy a fast car on the road than it is a slow car. The trick is to how quickly the car gets to "fast". The Veyron gets there quickly. Possibly within such a short span of time that the chance a cop will be there within the short distance you've covered is very little, as opposed to the very long distance you'll be going above the speed limit in order to get a slower car to the same speed. Plus, with a fast car, you got there in less distance, and so have more distance with which to slow down.

It's safer.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

"It's more enjoyable to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow."

'Nuf said.

 

[Eric.]

It's easier to enjoy a fast car on the road than it is a slow car. The trick is to how quickly the car gets to "fast". The Veyron gets there quickly. Possibly within such a short span of time that the chance a cop will be there within the short distance you've covered is very little, as opposed to the very long distance you'll be going above the speed limit in order to get a slower car to the same speed. Plus, with a fast car, you got there in less distance, and so have more distance with which to slow down.

It's safer.

As long as the car safely gets to that speed. I.e., safer to do in a Veyron than a crazy turbo Supra or something.

I can without a doubt tell you I'd enjoy driving practically any supercar for my daily commute than my Civic Si. As long as they are mostly modern cars that don't have ridiculously heavy clutches and are just generally a pain to drive (see James May's segment with the Countach). In a daily drive I don't typically "enjoy" any sort of performance of my car. I could, but doing so (particularly in a Civic) makes me look like an asshat. Most of today's supercars double as high end luxury cars, so doing my daily drive, I'd be in a very nice cockpit, most people would enjoy seeing the car in traffic, and you're not so much of a douche if you put the pedal down a little. You just slide the cock-o-meter from douche to prick.

 

[McLaren]

That's not what I meant. What I mean is that you don't buy this car to enjoy going 50 mph. That would be all of your money wasted. You'd be driving along, not faster than a Corolla with the most brilliant engine in the rear which at that given moment isn't more purposeful than the 1.4L of the Corolla behind you.

This same logic applies for any car north of $100K, then. Why buy a ZR1 when you won't be going any faster than the guy in the base C6 down the highway? Why buy an Aston Martin when you can have a cheaper SL?

It's about the details. At that given moment you posted, sure, you're not going any faster. But your car is better built, rides better, and at the moment you need to stop or get on the gas, the Veyron's going to do it first.

It's about status as well. As GT_P said, some people like the thought of, "Look at me. I've got one of the rarest cars in the world. I'm made in money". What do you think actually sales these cars 70% of the time?

It's a monumental piece in car's history, but in my view there's no point in actually owning one. It's more of a museum item rather than something you daily drive. I just can't cross the thought that you would purchase this car to do daily driving when it's no more comfortable and luxurious than a Lexus or your average Merc.

This car bests absolutely anything by Lexus & you'd need a S-Class to top it in comfort. I'm not sure if you've seen one yet, but the owner who has brought his out has shared every experience with his car to the crowd. The craftsmanship is amazing & as far as ride quality goes, well, the owner (a man in his early 60's; one of the toughest ages to please in comfort) says its perfect.

But then again, with all the engineering in it, that's the point. If you really want to see how the car rides, just watch the TG episode where Jeremy races Hammond & May in. You will never hear Clarkson talk about a Mercedes or Lexus in the way he talks about how the car is to drive.

I'm with a lot of people when they say, "I wouldn't buy a Veyron" or "I'd buy this first". I totally understand that. I'd have about 10 Lambos in my garage before a Veyron came through the door. But there's so much more to this car than it just being a feat in engineering. It can actually put all that technology to work.