Bugatti 16/4 Veyron

September 3rd 2005, Monterey, California - After years of applause, celebration, doubt, then ridicule, the first Bugatti Veyron supercar has hit the road as the fastest. Bugatti has little to be embarrassed about, since the 16/4 - first seen on the streets of Monterey in August of 2005- is very similar to the extreme proposals made at the 2001 Frankfurt Auto Show that critics deemed unachievable.
Until recently, the 1000 horsepower, four wheel drive supercar that claimed to reach 250 mph was only an enthusiastic vision, viewed by some as a public relations gimmick from the outset. However, the Veyron has now impressed the critics by achieving a two-way average speed of 252.95mph at parent company Volkswagen's Ehra Lessien test track in Germany. Thus the Veyron prevails over the Koenigsegg CCR's record of 240.8 mph set earlier this year.
The Veyron was first publicly displayed at the respectable Pebble Beach Concours on August 21st. After appearing at select private events, the first two production Veyrons preeminently adorned Pebble's concept car display in front of the Lodge. Earlier in the week, the first grey and blue Veyron - driven by Bugatti head Thomas Bscher - arrived late at the Monterey Jet Center Party and the Quail Motorsports Gathering. Wherever the Veyron was seen, crowd and media response was enthusiastic, allowing the car to steal the spotlight from the exclusive, no-cameras-allowed Ferrari FXX debut.
Comparisons between the Bugatti and the 1998 McLaren F1 are easy to make, as both cars focus on the aspect of exceptional everyday driving. Each sport an expensive list of performance components, however, the Veyron is more elegantly appointed and as a result needs more 'gusto' to make up for its extra bulk.
Within the Veyron, several propulsion systems synchronize in a tight space, making history as the most complicated Bugatti. Under the skin of this sexy supercar is a quad-turbo, sixteen cylinder engine that delivers power to all four wheels through a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The most challenging aspect for Bugatti is to ensure proper aerodynamics and cooling of these systems, two obstacles that have delayed production for nearly three years.

Atelier - a new plant dedicated to production of the Veyron - opens today in Molsiem, France. This is the same location where, in 1910, Ettore Bugatti produced his first car and later built some of the most successful race cars in the country. Bugatti's most prolific design is legendary Type 35, a small open-wheel racer that triumphed, taking thousands of victories in its day. Also included in the list of impressive Bugattis is the Type 41 Royale. Sharing much in common with the modern Veyron, both supercars are the most exuberant of their era.

engine	Aluminum, Narrow Angle W16
position	Mid Longitudinal
aspiration	Quad Turbocharged
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl w/VVT
displacement	7993 cc / 487.8 cu in
bore	86 mm / 3.39 in
stroke	86 mm / 3.39 in
compression	9.0:1
power	746.5 kw / 1001 bhp @ 6000 rpm
hp per litre	125.23 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	490.45 bhp per weight
torque	1250 nm / 922.0 ft lbs @ 2200-5500 rpm
redline	6500
drive wheels	4WD
body / frame	Aluminum Panels over Carbon Fibre Monocoque w/Aluminum Front Subframe, Hybrid VCarbon/Stainless Steel Rear Subframe
front brakes	Ventilated & Drilled Discs w/ABS
f brake size	401 mm / 15.8 in
rear brakes	Ventilated & Drilled Discs w/ABS
r brake size	381 mm / 15.0 in
front wheels	F 50.8 x 28.4 cm / 20 x 11.2 in
rear wheels	R 53.3 x 36.6 cm / 21 x 14.4 in
front tire size	265/680ZR500A 99Y Michelin Pilot Sport
rear tire size	365/710ZR540A 108Y Michelin Pilot Sport
f suspension	Control Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Control Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
weight	2041 kg / 4500 lbs
wheelbase	2710 mm / 106.7 in
front track	1715 mm / 67.5 in
rear track	1618 mm / 63.7 in
length	4463 mm / 175.7 in
width	1999 mm / 78.7 in
height	1212 mm / 47.7 in
transmission	7-Speed DSG w/Haldex Clutch
top speed	407.2 kph / 253 mph
0 - 60 mph	2.6 seconds
0 - 100 mph	5.7 seconds
0 - 1/4 mile	10.3 seconds

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