Following the 2010 world speed record achieved by the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport (431,072 km/h/267.8 mph), Bugatti has set a new benchmark, this time with the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse.
Driven by Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu, the convertible Veyron reached a speed of 408.84 km/h (254 mph), enough for the German organization for Technical Inspection and Certification (TÜV) to certify it as the world’s fastest open-top production sports car.
Although Bugatti announced a top speed of 375 km/h when it introduced the Vitesse, it looks like they couldn’t resist the temptation of exceeding the 400 km/h mark. The record was set at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien, Germany.
The Vitesse was driven by Chinese entrepreneur and race driver Anthony Liu, who praised the stability and comfort of the Bugatti, even at speeds of more than 400 km/h. “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,” Liu said.
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4Grand Sport Vitesse has been on the market since the spring of 2012. It is powered by an 8.0-liter W16 engine developing 1,200 PS (1,184 HP) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb-ft) of torque between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm.
The record car sported a dual-color scheme in black and orange, the same colors seen on the 2010 Veyron 16.4 Super Sport record vehicle.
To mark the occasion, Bugatti will sell a World Record Car (WRC) Edition of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, limited to eight units. Each will be priced at €1.99 million ($2.61 million), before taxes. The World Record Car will be unveiled on April 20 at the Shanghai Auto Show.
By Dan Mihalascu
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