Bugatti Veyron: soon to be the world's fastest production car

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Bugatti Veyron: soon to be the world's fastest production car

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June 2, 2005 Ettore Bugatti produced machines that set world speed records for planes, boats, trains and cars, built the most successful racing car in history and the most expensive car in history. The marque has been revived after 50 years and the new car recently exceeded 400km/h in testing. Its engine has 16 cylinders, eight camshafts, four turbochargers, 64 valves and produces 987 horsepower. When the Bugatti Veyron goes on sale later this year it will cost 1,000,000 Euros and only 300 will ever be built. It will also claim the title of the fastest production car in history, exceeding the McLaren F1’s record of 386.4 kmh (240.1mph) which stood for seven years, and the recent record established by the Koennigsegg CCR of 387.87 kmh (241.01 mph). Last month, a prototype Bugatti Veyron was officially measured at over 400 km/h (248.5 mph) at the Volkswagen Ehra–Lessien proving grounds reaching this speed several times and in both directions, as required by official measuring procedures.

Accordingly, after a 50 year hiatus, the Bugatti badge is returning on a car as breathtaking as those which created the legend on the roads and racetracks of Europe prior to WW2. Named after the most famous racing driver of the thirties, Pierre Veyron, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will be the fastest and most expensive production car ever produced. It has taken some time to achieve the lofty goals set by Volkswagen, which purchased the marque’s name and then set about trying to build a car over-the-top enough to live up to Ettore Bugatti’s remarkable engineering feats. He produced machines that set world speed records for planes, boats, trains and cars, built the most successful racing car in history and the most expensive car in history.

While the Veyron's power and speed figures are astounding, so too is the acceleration - between 2200 and 5500rpm it makes an 922lb/ft of torque - an outrageous feat and one achieved via F1-style and other bleeding-edge technologies such as having not one but two independent engine management computers for each bank of cylinders, and the electromagnetic injection valves which make it possible to precisely define when and how much fuel is injected into each combustion chamber. This massive mid-range grunt allows the Veyron to accelerate from standstill to 300kmh in under 14 seconds.

But the performance is only one facet of this diamond. The array of unique features within the car are commensurate with the million euro price tag and include a specially designed seven-speed gearbox, an aerodynamic monocoque body complete with fully-panelled undertray and a rear spoiler which changes position according to the speed range of the car.

Even the hi-fi system was designed in conjunction with the body shape. There is nothing ordinary about this car. The innovative W16 light alloy engine develops a phenomenal 736 kW (987 bhp) at 6000/min and is installed in the mid-engine position ahead of the car's rear axle. Because of the W configuration, the 64 valve, 7,993 cc engine remains compact at 710 millimetres long and 767 mm wide, yet still produces a maximum torque of 1,250 Newton-metres with the help of four turbochargers.

Four continuously variable overhead camshafts actuate the valves with settings controlled by a continuous electro-hydraulic system, which takes effect in all engine operating situations and incorporates two computers for each bank of cylinders to maintain the engines correct operating parameters.

There will not be a modified production "street version" with diminished performance according to Bugatti.

Aerodynamic advances have not left behind the characteristic Bugatti radiator grille but to ensure optimum cooling of the W-engine and the brakes, large air intakes are incorporated at the front and a rear spoiler that extends automatically when the car reaches a predetermined road speed aids down-thrust.

The Veyron's specially developed seven-speed gearbox features a sequential gear-shift controlled via paddles at the steering wheel - as per F1 racing cars - and the double clutch system performs gear shifts within a maximum of 0.2 of a second and by-passes the need for a clutch pedal.

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