Bugatti Veyron

Bugatti Veyron
Manufacturer	Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Parent Company	Volkswagen Group
Production	2005-2015
Assembly	France: Alsace, Molsheim
Predecessor	Bugatti EB110
Successor	Bugatti Chiron
Layout	Mid-engine, AWD
Engine(s)	8.0 L quad-turbocharged W16

Bugatti Veyron is a hypercar built by Bugatti from 2005 to 2015. It is the first car to reach over 250 miles an hour after the VW Group controlled the Bugatti. It is based on the 1999 EB 18.4 Concept. It also marks the return only built on hypercar.

The production version was designated as EB 16.4. It features a 16-cylinder broad plane (known as W engine) and a permanent 4WD. Engine output ranges from 987-bhp up to 1,200-bhp with a special edition with improved performance and suspension. The Veyron also weighs under 2,000 kg. It is notoriously slower compared to the lighter and less powerful supercars on Top Gear test track.

On Aerolessin test track, they proved its top speed of 253-mph. In 2015, Veyron phased out of its production and succeed to the Bugatti Chiron.

Appearances

• In Series 7, Episode 5, Jeremy raced in the Veyron from Italy to the Natwest Tower in London against Richard and James in a Cesna 182. Jeremy was blown away by the speed and power of the Veyron but also by it's relaxing nature, refinement and comfort. Despite winning the race, Jeremy stated that the Veyron was like Concorde and there would never be another car this good. Simply stating "the greatest car ever made and the greatest car we will ever see in our lifetime."
• In Series 7, Episode 6, the Veyron was announced as Top Gear's Car of the Year 2005.
• In Series 9, Episode 2, James headed to Aerolessin VW test track where he took the Veyron to its top-speed of 253mph. He was amazed by it's stability and lack of fear when driving, which Jeremy agreed with.
• In Series 10, Episode 3, Richard raced the Veyron against the Eurofighter Typhoon, where despite the Bugatti's best efforts, the Typhoon ended up winning.
• In Clarkson: Supercar Showdown, Jeremy stated that the Veyron was the ultimate supercar, due to it' being much easier to drive, much more beautiful, much better built and way faster than any other Supercar ever made, simply stating it was "the greatest supercar ever conceived."
• In Series 12, Episode 4, the Veyron finally made its appearance at the Top Gear Test Track during James' review of the Pagani Zonda F Roadster. The Veyron obliterated the Zonda in a straight line but ultimately disappointed only setting a time of 1:18.3 around the track.
• In Series 13, Episode 2, Richard drove the Veyron against the Stig in the McLaren F1 in a drag race in Abu Dhabi. Despite being heavier and losing the start, the Veyron destroyed the F1, with Jeremy concludng that the Veyron "which we know to be the fastest car ever, is faster than another kind of car". Richard later stated that he did not use the Veyron's launch control in order to make the race more interesting.
• In Series 14, Episode 7, the Veyron was announced as Top Gear's Car of the Decade.
• In Series 15, Episode 5, James returned to Aerolessin VW test track with the Veyron Supersport, maxing the car out to 258mph. Bugatti's chief test driver, then set a Guinness Book Record of 267mph. In the Hands of the Stig, round the Top Gear Test Track, setting the fastest lap at the time of 1:16.8.
• In TGM (UK) 212, James announced the Veyron SuperSport as his Car of the Year 2010.
• In Top Gear USA "150mph Challenge" Wood is rewarded by driving the Veyron Vitesse before Foust is rightly given the keys to max the Veyron at 201mph.
• In Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip, Jeremy uses the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to humiliate Richard driving the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster.
• In Past v Future, Hammond pits the Veyron in a drag race against the Porsche 918 Spyder in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Despite having more power the Veyron loses to the 918.

Book

In 2011, Bugatti Veyron: A Quest for Perfection - The Story of the Greatest Car in the World was published, which took the stance that the car had now become so famous that it was effectively a bona fide 'celebrity'. The book follows its author Martin Roach as he attempts to track down and drive the car, along the way interviewing chief designers, test drivers, and the president of Bugatti.