2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse
“Le Ciel Californien”
Specifications
Configuration: “LE CIEL CALIFORNIEN”
Engine: W16
Displacement: 8L
Horsepower: 1200hp
Torque: 1106 ft/lbs
Max RPM: 6400rpm
Transmission: Double-clutch 7-speed
A Little History
The Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse is the world’s fastest production car, as well as the world’s fastest open-topped car. This Vitesse, with the white and blue paint scheme, is one of a kind. It was produced at the request of a longstanding Bugatti customer, and toured the world as the 2013 Bugatti promotional vehicle for one year. Bugatti agreed not to make any other models in this color scheme, as it was selected specifically because it paid homage to the 1928 Bugatti Type 37A, raced by Pierre Veyron.
Unlike many other supercar models, the Grand Sport Vitesse was not made to be a lightweight car. In fact, it’s actually the heaviest supercar currently on display, and arguably ever made. While many other supercars shy away from unnecessary amenities, Bugatti strived to make this model as luxurious as possible. The interior contains high-end Italian quilted leather on the seats, steering wheel, and dash, similar to the interior of a Bentley, which is also owned by Volkswagen. The center console is made of blue carbon fiber, purely for aesthetic purposes. In this instance, the carbon fiber actually adds to the weight of the car, rather than lightening it, as seen in other supercar models. The Grand Sport Vitesse also has a total of 10 radiators spread throughout the body of the car, all used for various cooling purposes. There are three for the engine, one for the intercooler, two for the air conditioning system, one for the transmission oil, one for the differential oil, one for the engine oil, and one for the hydraulic fluid for the rear spoiler. The radiators and the fluid in them account for a large portion of the extra weight of the car, which is partially countered by its engine.
The Veyron is the only supercar in the world with a W16 engine block. This motor is extremely rare, as most cars are built with the typical V-formation engine block, as compared below. The difference between the two is that V-formation motors have the cylinders placed in a line, with up to 8 cylinders on each side. The W-formation, on the other hand, still has 8 cylinders, but they are offset instead of streamlined, which makes for a smaller, yet equally powerful engine.
Did You Know?
• Vitesse is French for speed.
• Bugatti is actually owned by Volkswagen.
• This Bugatti was modeled after a 1928 racecar, and named after its driver, Pierre Veyron.
• The rear spoiler can elevate out of the car up to approximately 2.5 feet. It can create up to 770 lbs of downforce on the back of the car while accelerating, but can also deploy up to a 70 degree angle while decelerating, to act as an air brake. Because of its constant movement, the spoiler was given its own cooling system.
• At a full stop, the ground clearance for this car is 4.9 inches. However, when top speed is enabled, the car lowers itself to a ground clearance of 2.6 inches.
• Bugatti claims that the Veyron is able to slow from its top speed of 264 MPH to a complete standstill in less than 10 seconds!
