BY JUERGEN ZOELLTER, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE DUSHANE, MATTHIAS KNOEDLER, AND THE MANUFACTURER
The world’s fastest convertible: Only 150 will be made, at $2.2 million apiece.
Despite the current economic nose dive, the hugely expensive Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is selling faster than expected. To date, 230 of the expected 300 Veyrons have been sold, for 1.1 million euros (or $1.7 million). Another Bugatti model, a four-seater, won’t go into production before 2010, so in the meantime, Bugatti will keep sales rolling by adding a Veyron roadster, dubbed the Veyron 16.4 GrandSport.
To maintain the stiffness of the structure and provide rollover protection, the A-pillars become even thicker than the coupe’s and the air intakes on top of the car are now equipped with two rollover bars. The GrandSport comes with a clear
polycarbonate targa-style roof. With its top in place, the GrandSport equals the top speed of the Veyron, a dazzling 253 mph.
Remove the roof, and the two-seater is drag limited to a still impressive 229 mph. Unfortunately, there is no space in the car to stow the removable roof panel, so the roadster is equipped with a shoddy looking umbrella that unfolds to cover the roof opening. With this ridiculous contraption in place, the max recommended top speed plunges to a walk—81 mph.
Only 150 GrandSports will be built, and the price starts at 1.4 million euros ($2.2 million). The first one was auctioned off at Pebble Beach for $2.9 million, with the profits going to charity. The line starts behind current Bugatti owners as the first 50 GrandSports will be reserved for them.
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