The 2015 Geneva Motor Show featured the 450th and final piece of a collection that comprises some of the world's fastest and most powerful automotive masterpieces: The Bugatti Veyron. All in all, over 40 special editions and iterations have become the pride of Bugatti owners around the globe. Who knows how much their value will increase from this point on? As Ettore Bugatti once famously said: “Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive.”
As a tribute to the superb Bugatti Veyron, here are some facts and tidbits that might interest you:
- The Bugatti Veyron was born in 2005 with four specific requests: 1) It had to have more than 1,000 metric horsepower; 2) A top speed of 400+ km/h; 3) 0-100 km/h acceleration in less than three seconds; and 4) A combination of style and comfort that owners could take to the opera.
- Considering the many available options, the average price of a Veyron is €2.3 million (approx. $3 million).
- The Veyron broke records not only as the world's fastest production car, but also as a money-losing venture. According to noted Bernstein analyst Max Warburton, Volkswagen (which own Bugatti) lost €4.6 million with each Veyron sold, and a whopping €1.7 billion overall.
- The international success of the Veyron may have something to do with the fact that its components were sourced from all over the world. The 7-speed DSG was manufactured in the U.K.; the 8.0L W16 engine came from Salzgitter, Germany; the specifically designed tires were co-developed with Michelin; the carbon-fibre monocoque was produced in Italy; the forged aluminum front and rear sub-frames originated from Germany; and the carbon-ceramic brakes were manufactured in England. The paint is German, the leather upholstery is Austrian, the windshield is Finnish, and so on.
- Owning a Bugatti Veyron costs about $300,000 a year including $10,000 for the tires (recommended to be changed every 4,000 kilometres) and $60,000 for new wheels. Of course, there's also regular maintenance, fuel, insurance, and other related costs.
- Such a world-class car unsurprisingly comes with exceptional customer service. The Bugatti staff is ready to answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In just a few minutes, an initial report on the condition of the car can be sent directly to Molsheim (where Bugatti models are built) through a unique telemetric system. If the problem can't be addressed remotely, a mobile technician will fly to the owner's rescue. Each of the 17 members of Bugatti's customer service team knows every single component of the Veyron like the back of their hand.
- The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach speeds of 407 km/h with the roof in place, but “just” 360 km/h after you remove it. Incidentally, said roof cannot be stowed in the car so Bugatti incorporated an emergency carbon fibre soft top that can be stowed in the trunk and used at speeds of up to 160 km/h if it rains.
- Wolfgang Dürheimer, president of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., says Bugatti's production cycle cannot be compared to any other manufacturer as these supercars are truly unique. Beyond their ultra-advanced technologies and driving dynamics, they are works of art. In fact, many Bugatti customers are art collectors and they know all too well how much time is required to create such masterpieces.
