Bugatti Veyron Is 15 Years Old; Here’s A Look At Some Special Versions

Bugatti wrote a new chapter in the automotive history book in the mid-2000s, when production of the Veyron 16.4 began, and since it just turned 15 years old, it’s time to take a look back at it.

This was the first car to pack the iconic 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine, which pushed out 987 HP (1,001 PS / 736 kW), enabling a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 2.5 seconds and a 253 mph (407 km/h) top speed.

Over a 10-year period, the automaker produced 300 coupes and 150 roadsters at its factory in Molsheim, France, and now, Achim Anscheidt, the brand’s design director, looks back at his six personal favorites.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Pur Sang

Combining carbon fiber and aluminum in a two-tone design, the Pur Sang marked the beginning of Bugatti’s range of special editions and customization program when it debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The model was limited to just 5 units and all of them were spoken for in just 45 minutes after the unveiling.

“Looking back on the Veyron Pur Sang is like remembering the birth of your first child”, said Anscheidt. “You never forget such an emotional event. It burns itself deep into your memory. I still remember exactly how I walked through the workshop in Molsheim for the first time and how awestruck I was by the technology of the Veyron. I was immensely impressed by its technical material concept.”

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

The Veyron Super Sport came out in 2010 and featured optimized aerodynamics and a bump in power to 1,183 HP (1,200 PS / 883 kW). The car was still capable of hitting 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds, yet top speed has increased to 258 mph (415 km/h). This is the one that broke the top speed world record for production cars by averaging 267.86 mph (431.072 km/h) on the Ehra-Lessien proving ground.

“During one of the high-speed laps on the test track in Ehra-Lessien, I was standing around 10 meters from the track when the Super Sport whizzed past”, remembered the chief designer. “That was absolutely incredible. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport L’or Blanc

The Grand Sport L’or Blanc followed the SS the year after and featured high-quality porcelain, a first for the industry. The goal was “to create a one-off, an art car”, said Anscheidt, “but I by no means wanted to emulate the automotive works of art such as those by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Frank Stella or Roy Lichtenstein”.

Nevertheless, the result was a unique hand-crafted hypercar with high-quality materials and unique looks, and it found a new home in no time, as Bugatti sold it to a collector.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse

Essentially an open-top version of the SS, the Grand Sport Vitesse premiered in 2012, with 1,183 HP (1,200 PS / 883 kW). It too set a new world record, for the fastest production convertible, with a top speed of 254.04 mph (408.84 km/h). Out of the 150 roadsters built, 92 were Vitesse models, and all of them sold out immediately.

“What makes the Grand Sport Vitesse so special for me? Initially, we as designers, were criticized for the Vitesse not looking powerful enough as a roadster”, added Anscheidt. “But our customers appreciate the fact that it looks like a coupe when the roof is closed. And when the roof is open, they can enjoy the inimitable feel of a roadster.”

To this day, this remains the only modern open-top Bugatti.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Venet

Made in collaboration with French artist and sculptor Bernar Venet, the Veyron Grand Sport Venet was another one-off creation. It premiered in December 2012 with haute couture-inspired interior design at the Rubell Family Collection during Art Basel Miami Beach, and currently resides in a private collection.

“Developing a car with a famous artist who is in no way connected to car design can be a tricky undertaking. With Bernar Venet, it was a creative process from start to finish. It was fascinating and impressive to be able to witness how he works and how he creates large-scale sculptures”, said the car designer. “We worked closely together, and ultimately created something truly beyond compare.”

Les Legendes De Bugatti – Ettore Bugatti

Based on the Grand Sport Vitesse and part of the Legends edition cars, whose production was capped at 18 units and all of them were spoken for in no time, the Ettore Bugatti is another favorite of the Bugatti designer.

“We hope that one day, perhaps even at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, the grandchildren of the current owners will sit inside the Ettore Bugatti Legend car and begin to reflect on the beauty of the materials, their aesthetic appeal, and the fact that this car offers value and quality beyond the normal lifespan of an automobile”, said Anscheidt. “That is precisely what a Bugatti is, and what it will always embody.”

The Veyron was eventually replaced by the Chiron, whose production commenced at the same factory in 2016. The ‘regular’ modern hypercar was followed by the Ans Bugatti, Chiron Super Sport 300+, Chiron Pur Sport and Chiron Noire, and also served as the basis for the Divo, Centodieci and La Voiture Noire variants.