Where customisation becomes an art form
Two unique Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport models at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show
Geneva, 2 March 2010 – One year on from the launch of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. will be exhibiting two customised Grand Sport models at the Geneva International Motor Show 2010. A special exhibit on the Bugatti stand will also give visitors to the show a glimpse at the technology that lies beneath the bodywork of the Grand Sport.
Throughout his life, Ettore Bugatti constantly experimented with different colour schemes and materials as he sought to create his unique cars. Today, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. continues this tradition, and is constantly expanding the range of options it offers on the basis of suggestions received from customers. In discussion with the design and engineering team, buyers of Bugatti cars can tailor their vehicles to their personal preferences by choosing from a wide array of exquisite materials and paint finishes. The two models on display in Geneva showcase the ever growing range of options available to new Veyron and Grand Sport owners.
Two-tone colour scheme with Royal Dark Blue carbon fibre and Arctic White
On the first of the two Grand Sport models exhibited in Geneva, the bonnet, monocoque and rear section are made of carbon fibre tinted in a Royal Dark Blue colour that shows off the lustre of the fibre. Air intakes and all grilles (except the highly polished radiator grille) are likewise finished in Royal Dark Blue, creating a striking contrast between the central part of the car and the Arctic White side panels. The inner sides of the horseshoe-shaped spokes in the wheel rims are also painted Royal Dark Blue. The EB logos on the wheels, and fuel and oil filler cap are still made of polished aluminium as usual. The characteristic Bugatti two-tone colour scheme thus extends down to the last detail.
The combination of blue and white is also found inside the cabin. The dashboard, centre console, seats and interior trim panels are all made of dark blue Indigo Leather, with white stitching on the steering wheel, seats, centre console and gearshift knob making a striking contrast. The quilting pattern gives the vehicle’s interior a dynamic look in keeping with its performance. The car has already been sold for 1.75 million euros (ex works).
Horizontal two-tone colour scheme with dark grey carbon fibre and polished aluminium
The second of the two display models follows a very different interpretation of the two-tone concept, one that first appeared on the Bugatti Sang Bleu. The upper section of the body – including the doors and side panels – is made of dark grey carbon fibre, framed whilst the bottom part of the car is finished in polished aluminium. The lower air intake grilles are polished to a brilliant shine. The wheel rims are the same as those on the Bugatti Pur Sang, with Ebony Pearl inner sides and a Diamond Cut face. The EB logos and all screws are made of sparkling aluminium.
As in the first car, the dashboard, centre console, seats and interior trim panels are upholstered in leather, but the silver colour used here does not contrast as strongly with the white stitching as the blue, giving a softer, more elegant feel. This car too has already been sold, with a price tag of
1.65 million euros (ex works).
Customers who find themselves inspired by the two display models can design their own Bugatti in the “Customisation lounge”. In this dedicated area of the Bugatti stand, they will find an extensive collection of paint and material samples, allowing them to select the ideal combination for their own Grand Sport or Veyron coupé.
Where technology becomes an art form
These spectacular vehicles are the result of painstaking craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art materials and technologies. At this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, some of the technical secrets of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be revealed to the public for the first time. Almost as soon as they were launched, the Veyron and the Grand Sport acquired cult status and secured their own niche in automotive history. They were recently chosen as the car of the decade by two influential English-language motoring titles, Top Gear and Robb Report.
The Bugatti stand in Geneva will feature an exhibit of a Grand Sport broken down into its two main sections: the front end/monocoque, and the rear section with the engine and gearbox. The two sections are normally joined together by titanium bolts. The most striking thing about the rear section is the unique titanium exhaust system. This is surrounded by the electrohydraulic wing-spoiler array. The double wing, which both provides aerodynamic stability and functions as a brake, is normally hidden from view but here it is clearly visible. At the other end of the rear section, the two engine-turned aluminium oil sumps can be seen. The high-strength CFRP roll bar above these is visible on the passenger side, but hidden by an air scoop on the driver’s side. The monocoque, incorporating main beams and cross members made of lightweight, high-strength carbon, can be recognised by its fibre structure. A saddle fuel tank is built into this in a protected position, with a firewall between it and the engine. The ceramic brake discs and the polished stainless steel suspension, which are normally hidden behind the wheels, are also clearly visible in the technical exhibit.
This unique insight into the workings of the Veyron is sure to be a big attraction at the show. It is complemented by a separate display of the Veyron’s engine and gearbox. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. was the first manufacturer in the world to offer a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, which is mounted longitudinally in front of the mid-engine in the all-wheel-drive Veyron. Both gearbox and engine use a dry-sump design, primarily because this helps to achieve a lower centre of gravity.
Distribution of engine torque between the two axles is handled by a Haldex clutch located behind the front-axle differential, while the rear-axle differential is notable for its multi-disc differential lock.
At 710 millimetres in length, the car’s 16-cylinder mid-engine is no bigger than a conventional V12 unit. Its compact dimensions are made possible by the unique W layout, which consists of two offset double row banks, each comprising eight cylinders and with a bank angle of 15 degrees. The two banks are at an angle of 90 degrees to each other, and are housed in to a single crankcase. This means that they function as a single engine, aspirated by four turbochargers. The engine has a maximum output of 1001 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and develops 1,250 newton-metres of torque between 2,200 and 5,500 rpm.
2009 was a difficult year for the whole automotive industry, but Bugatti still delivered 50 vehicles. To date, 255 customers have ordered a Bugatti Veyron, and 230 of these have now received their car. Nine of the 26 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sports ordered to date have so far been delivered.
