The world's most significant celebration of the automobile takes place annually in Monterey, California. This year, it will see some of the most elegant, exclusive, and valuable vehicles ever produced in over 100 years of motoring, with Bugatti set to play a prominent role. On the evening prior to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the highlight of the event, the marque renowned for impeccable automotive solutions, aesthetics and driving dynamics will unveil a second model to the world - the new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport with a unique removable roof.
The significant modifications have been made to the vehicle's complex structure to make possible open-top driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car. Incorporating a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features, it is the world's fastest and most exciting roadster. It is immediately recognizable as a result of its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.
The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport with removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong while weighing an absolute minimum - it is a central element of the vehicle's structure. As the roof is an integral part of this, removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle's rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.
The monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.
The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam.
In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection should the car roll.
Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor in the rear-view-mirror, and the "Puccini" sound system with digital signal processor.
When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with roof off. Should it rain, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time. When this folding roof is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Specifications
* Dimensions
o Length: 4,462 mm
o Width: 1,998 mm
o Height, Normal Position: 1,204 mm
o Wheel base: 2,710 mm
o Curb Weight: 1,968 kg
o Max. permitted laden weight: 2,280 kg
o Tank capacity: 100 l
* Engine
o Motor Type/Number of Cylinders: W16
o Cylinder Capacity: 7 993 cm3
o Power output: 736 KW (1,001 hp) @ 6,000 rpm
o Max. torque: 1,250 Nm @ 2,200-5,500 rpm
o Gearbox: 7 Gear DSG
o Drive: 4WD
o Power distribution: Front axle differential with Haldex clutch; rear axle with with transverse differential lock
* Suspension
o Wheel suspension: Double wishbone front / rear
o Tyre, front: 265-680 ZR 500A Michelin Pilot Sport Pax
o Tyres, rear: 365-710 ZR 540A Michelin Pilot Sport Pax
o Tyre pressure: 3.1 bar front, 3.1 bar rear
* Suspension Heights (front / rear)
o Standard: 125 mm / 125 mm - For town traffic and speeds up to 220 km/h. From 220 km/h, automatic configuration switches from Standard to Handling
o Handling: 80 mm / 95 mm - For fast driving on country roads or motorways, or manually selectable for race tracks
o Top Speed: 65 mm / 70 mm - For V-max driving (over 375 km/h), manually selectable with separate key
* Brakes
o Brake disk diameter: 400 mm front, 380 mm rear
o Brake disk material: Carbon / ceramic front / rear
o Number of wheel brake cylinders: 8 front, 6 rear
o Number of brake pads: 4 front, 2 rear
* Aerodynamics
o CW Values
+ Standard: 0.39
+ Handling: 0.42
+ Top Speed: 0.36
+ Airbrake: 0.68
o Wing/Spoiler Angle
+ Standard: Retracted / 2° cool-down position
+ Handling with roof: 6°/27°
+ Handling without roof: 20°/27°
+ Top Speed: 2°
+ Brake setting: 55°/27°
+ Special features: Central hydraulics
* Fuel Consumption
o In town: 41,9 l/100km
o Out of town: 15,6 l/100km
o Combined: 24,9 l/100km
o Fuel type: Super lead free 98 RON / ROZ
* CO2-Emission
o In town: 999 g/km
o Out of town: 373 g/km
o Combined: 596 g/km
* Performance
o Top speed: 407 km/h
o Acceleration
+ 0-100 km/h: < 2.7sec
+ 0-200 km/h: 7.3 sec
+ 0-300 km/h: 16.7 sec
o Braking distance (100-0 km/h): 31.4 m
o Gearbox shift time: < 150 ms
