'To Drive The Impossible Dream': 0 to 125mph in 7.3 seconds
03-23-2006, 05:18 PM
#1
'To Drive The Impossible Dream': 0 to 125mph in 7.3 seconds
I think it's ugly, but what do I know? But yes, I'd take one.
LINK
Behind the Wheel
Bugatti Veyron 16.4: To Drive the Impossible Dream
By RICHARD FEAST
Published: December 25, 2005
MOLSHEIM, France
A Historic Name, Now in VW's Fold
MANY people thought that Volkswagen lost touch with its customer base in 2003 when it introduced the Phaeton, a luxury sedan perfectly wonderful in almost every way save for a price tag that veered uncomfortably close to six figures.
What, then, will the skeptics make of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the fastest, most powerful and - no surprise - most expensive production car in the world? Bugatti is owned by VW, and the Veyron's engine is related, if distantly, to the W-8 power plant available in the last-generation Passat.
Not to worry; the Veyron's credentials speak for themselves. A 1,001-horsepower two-seater that blasts to 60 miles an hour in 2.5 seconds - and continues pulling all the way to 253 m.p.h. - the car is a sheer technological wonder.
Still, nothing prepares the newcomer for the reality behind the bald performance statistics. The Veyron is blisteringly, and effortlessly, fast. Other vehicles on the road appear to stop as the Veyron whooshes past with the ease of a Formula One car. It is a sobering realization that the grand prix racer is not as fast as a Veyron.
Even stationary, the Veyron looks like a car that takes no prisoners. Slightly less than 176 inches long (no longer than a Kia Spectra) and almost 79 inches wide, it is surprisingly compact. Most of the space inside seems to be occupied by an enormous 16-cylinder engine, a seven-speed transaxle and an all-wheel-drive system. Ten radiators are required to disperse all the heat the Veyron's mechanical systems generate.
The car's two-tone paint, horseshoe-shape grille and center dashboard panel of engine-turned aluminum reach back to Bugatti's design heritage. The interior is exquisite; details like vents and door pulls are made of machined and polished aluminum.
Over all, the car represents an extraordinary blend of opulence and power. As luxurious as a Maybach, the Veyron provides a level of comfort far beyond that of quasi racers like the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, neither of which can match its acceleration, top speed or braking.
Thomas Bscher, president of Bugatti Automobiles, is just as proud of the car's refined manners. "This car can be driven by anyone," he said, a statement clearly begging to be substantiated.
The mighty motor rumbles to life at the touch of the starter button. Despite its placement just a few inches behind the driver's shoulders, the engine produces a muted growl that is music to the enthusiast.
Venturing onto the highways here, near Bugatti's headquarters in the Alsace region of France, the car's rarity and value generate considerable apprehension. Embarrassment, injury, a big repair bill or worse await a driver who does not show proper respect.
The automated seven-speed transmission shifts gears so seamlessly that the only clue is a change in the engine note. The car's unfamiliarity erodes with the miles; speed simultaneously increases. It seems entirely natural to shift using the gearshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel .
The ride over poor surfaces is amazing for such a taut high-performance car. The steering is so precise that the Veyron feels almost as nimble as a Miata.
It would be nice to relate that this reporter's driving skills are capable of wringing the maximum from the Veyron. They are not, but they were enough to determine that at really high speeds the car is quiet, comfortable, refined - and as easy to drive as Mr. Bscher says. The car's everyday top speed of 234 m.p.h. is enough to make it a king of the road. To be the performance emperor, though, the driver must resort to a second ignition key to the left of his seat.
The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop. A checklist then establishes whether the car - and its driver - are ready to go for the maximum speed beyond 250 m.p.h. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers close and the ground clearance, normally 4.9 inches, drops to 2.6 inches.
To appreciate the Veyron's performance extremes, ride along with Pierre-Henri Raphanel, a former professional racer who demonstrates the car to potential buyers.
Mr. Raphanel looks relaxed as he blasts the Veyron to almost 180 m.p.h. Other traffic and roadside objects appear and vanish in a blurred, real-life re-enactment of a computer game before he eases off.
When the freeway empties, Mr. Raphanel demonstrates the Veyron's brakes. The car's speed simply vanishes - braking to a stop from 250 m.p.h. takes less than 10 seconds, he said - but for the passenger, there is an equally astonishing experience: the driver is holding both hands in the air and wearing a big grin. The car has stopped in a straight line with no corrections at the steering wheel. If anything, the giant carbon-ceramic brakes and the rear air brake are more impressive than the acceleration.
Everything about the Veyron is shaped by superlatives, but even Mr. Bscher acknowledges, "Nobody needs a car like this."
Indeed, who could argue that it isn't a frivolous liability? On what roads can it be tested, given that it reaches speeds in excess of those achieved in qualifying laps for the Indianapolis 500? When the Veyron was recorded at 253 m.p.h., it was on a test track in Germany.
How relaxed would an owner be about leaving a Veyron in a parking structure for a couple of hours? How anxious would he be handing the ignition key to a parking valet?
The fuel economy - if that is the right word - is 9 miles per gallon in the city and 18 highway, according to preliminary E.P.A. estimates. Don't even think about mileage during more spirited driving: at maximum speed, the car would theoretically run out of fuel in 12 minutes, Mr. Raphanel said.
A giant automotive achievement, the Veyron owes its existence to Ferdinand Piëch, who bought rights to the fabled Bugatti name in 1998, when he was chairman of Volkswagen, with the goal of building the ultimate supercar.
Bringing it to market required an unwavering commitment by Mr. Piëch, a man with a reputation as a brilliant engineer, though many have questioned his grasp on commercial reality.
With four turbochargers, the Veyron's mighty 8-liter, 16-cylinder power plant produces 1,001 horsepower and enough torque (922 pound-feet) to uproot a redwood. The engine drives all four wheels via a seven-speed automated manual gearbox.
Despite extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum, the Veyron is, at 4,162 pounds, quite heavy. Even so, the car is capable of staggering acceleration: from zero to 125 miles an hour in 7.3 seconds and to 250 in 55.6 seconds, according to Bugatti.
The price, for those indiscreet enough to ask, is $1.2 million in the United States, before taxes.
Theoretically, several of Volkswagen's rivals could create a Veyron alternative; some could even afford to. Mr. Bscher says the project cost no more than some automakers spend each year on Formula One racing - perhaps $400 million. In today's harsh business environment, though, automakers face challenges that make it unlikely they would allocate the technical and financial resources to one-up the Veyron.
Creating cars for plutocrats was a curious strategy for the manufacturer of the People's Car. The results, nevertheless, are now available to the handful of buyers with the necessary wherewithal.
LINK
Behind the Wheel
Bugatti Veyron 16.4: To Drive the Impossible Dream
By RICHARD FEAST
Published: December 25, 2005
MOLSHEIM, France
A Historic Name, Now in VW's Fold
MANY people thought that Volkswagen lost touch with its customer base in 2003 when it introduced the Phaeton, a luxury sedan perfectly wonderful in almost every way save for a price tag that veered uncomfortably close to six figures.
What, then, will the skeptics make of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the fastest, most powerful and - no surprise - most expensive production car in the world? Bugatti is owned by VW, and the Veyron's engine is related, if distantly, to the W-8 power plant available in the last-generation Passat.
Not to worry; the Veyron's credentials speak for themselves. A 1,001-horsepower two-seater that blasts to 60 miles an hour in 2.5 seconds - and continues pulling all the way to 253 m.p.h. - the car is a sheer technological wonder.
Still, nothing prepares the newcomer for the reality behind the bald performance statistics. The Veyron is blisteringly, and effortlessly, fast. Other vehicles on the road appear to stop as the Veyron whooshes past with the ease of a Formula One car. It is a sobering realization that the grand prix racer is not as fast as a Veyron.
Even stationary, the Veyron looks like a car that takes no prisoners. Slightly less than 176 inches long (no longer than a Kia Spectra) and almost 79 inches wide, it is surprisingly compact. Most of the space inside seems to be occupied by an enormous 16-cylinder engine, a seven-speed transaxle and an all-wheel-drive system. Ten radiators are required to disperse all the heat the Veyron's mechanical systems generate.
The car's two-tone paint, horseshoe-shape grille and center dashboard panel of engine-turned aluminum reach back to Bugatti's design heritage. The interior is exquisite; details like vents and door pulls are made of machined and polished aluminum.
Over all, the car represents an extraordinary blend of opulence and power. As luxurious as a Maybach, the Veyron provides a level of comfort far beyond that of quasi racers like the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, neither of which can match its acceleration, top speed or braking.
Thomas Bscher, president of Bugatti Automobiles, is just as proud of the car's refined manners. "This car can be driven by anyone," he said, a statement clearly begging to be substantiated.
The mighty motor rumbles to life at the touch of the starter button. Despite its placement just a few inches behind the driver's shoulders, the engine produces a muted growl that is music to the enthusiast.
Venturing onto the highways here, near Bugatti's headquarters in the Alsace region of France, the car's rarity and value generate considerable apprehension. Embarrassment, injury, a big repair bill or worse await a driver who does not show proper respect.
The automated seven-speed transmission shifts gears so seamlessly that the only clue is a change in the engine note. The car's unfamiliarity erodes with the miles; speed simultaneously increases. It seems entirely natural to shift using the gearshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel .
The ride over poor surfaces is amazing for such a taut high-performance car. The steering is so precise that the Veyron feels almost as nimble as a Miata.
It would be nice to relate that this reporter's driving skills are capable of wringing the maximum from the Veyron. They are not, but they were enough to determine that at really high speeds the car is quiet, comfortable, refined - and as easy to drive as Mr. Bscher says. The car's everyday top speed of 234 m.p.h. is enough to make it a king of the road. To be the performance emperor, though, the driver must resort to a second ignition key to the left of his seat.
The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop. A checklist then establishes whether the car - and its driver - are ready to go for the maximum speed beyond 250 m.p.h. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers close and the ground clearance, normally 4.9 inches, drops to 2.6 inches.
To appreciate the Veyron's performance extremes, ride along with Pierre-Henri Raphanel, a former professional racer who demonstrates the car to potential buyers.
Mr. Raphanel looks relaxed as he blasts the Veyron to almost 180 m.p.h. Other traffic and roadside objects appear and vanish in a blurred, real-life re-enactment of a computer game before he eases off.
When the freeway empties, Mr. Raphanel demonstrates the Veyron's brakes. The car's speed simply vanishes - braking to a stop from 250 m.p.h. takes less than 10 seconds, he said - but for the passenger, there is an equally astonishing experience: the driver is holding both hands in the air and wearing a big grin. The car has stopped in a straight line with no corrections at the steering wheel. If anything, the giant carbon-ceramic brakes and the rear air brake are more impressive than the acceleration.
Everything about the Veyron is shaped by superlatives, but even Mr. Bscher acknowledges, "Nobody needs a car like this."
Indeed, who could argue that it isn't a frivolous liability? On what roads can it be tested, given that it reaches speeds in excess of those achieved in qualifying laps for the Indianapolis 500? When the Veyron was recorded at 253 m.p.h., it was on a test track in Germany.
How relaxed would an owner be about leaving a Veyron in a parking structure for a couple of hours? How anxious would he be handing the ignition key to a parking valet?
The fuel economy - if that is the right word - is 9 miles per gallon in the city and 18 highway, according to preliminary E.P.A. estimates. Don't even think about mileage during more spirited driving: at maximum speed, the car would theoretically run out of fuel in 12 minutes, Mr. Raphanel said.
A giant automotive achievement, the Veyron owes its existence to Ferdinand Piëch, who bought rights to the fabled Bugatti name in 1998, when he was chairman of Volkswagen, with the goal of building the ultimate supercar.
Bringing it to market required an unwavering commitment by Mr. Piëch, a man with a reputation as a brilliant engineer, though many have questioned his grasp on commercial reality.
With four turbochargers, the Veyron's mighty 8-liter, 16-cylinder power plant produces 1,001 horsepower and enough torque (922 pound-feet) to uproot a redwood. The engine drives all four wheels via a seven-speed automated manual gearbox.
Despite extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum, the Veyron is, at 4,162 pounds, quite heavy. Even so, the car is capable of staggering acceleration: from zero to 125 miles an hour in 7.3 seconds and to 250 in 55.6 seconds, according to Bugatti.
The price, for those indiscreet enough to ask, is $1.2 million in the United States, before taxes.
Theoretically, several of Volkswagen's rivals could create a Veyron alternative; some could even afford to. Mr. Bscher says the project cost no more than some automakers spend each year on Formula One racing - perhaps $400 million. In today's harsh business environment, though, automakers face challenges that make it unlikely they would allocate the technical and financial resources to one-up the Veyron.
Creating cars for plutocrats was a curious strategy for the manufacturer of the People's Car. The results, nevertheless, are now available to the handful of buyers with the necessary wherewithal.
Last edited by RotoRocket; 03-23-2006 at 05:20 PM.
03-23-2006, 05:42 PM
#5
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16 Cyclinders and 4 Turbos... I wonder what the maximum HP they can get with that engine, TURN UP THE BOOST!!!
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03-23-2006, 05:44 PM
#6
Better fuel economy than the 8!
"The fuel economy - if that is the right word - is 9 miles per gallon in the city and 18 highway, according to preliminary E.P.A. estimates. Don't even think about mileage during more spirited driving: at maximum speed, the car would theoretically run out of fuel in 12 minutes, Mr. Raphanel said."
"The fuel economy - if that is the right word - is 9 miles per gallon in the city and 18 highway, according to preliminary E.P.A. estimates. Don't even think about mileage during more spirited driving: at maximum speed, the car would theoretically run out of fuel in 12 minutes, Mr. Raphanel said."
03-23-2006, 11:35 PM
#7
i pwn therefore i am
Originally Posted by Renesis_8
16 Cyclinders and 4 Turbos... I wonder what the maximum HP they can get with that engine, TURN UP THE BOOST!!!
03-24-2006, 10:39 AM
#12
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It's good looking and not so good looking...kind of like that episode in Seinfield with the girl that was pretty and not so pretty based on the lighting conditions (LOL)
Regardless, 7.3 sec to hit 125MPH....is more of an amusement park ride than what a car should be able to do. I’d love to “feel” that once in my life…but after that, I don’t think I could drive anything again since EVERYTHING would feel slow compared to that.
By the way…what ¼ mile times are they getting in that thing?
WOW!
Regardless, 7.3 sec to hit 125MPH....is more of an amusement park ride than what a car should be able to do. I’d love to “feel” that once in my life…but after that, I don’t think I could drive anything again since EVERYTHING would feel slow compared to that.
By the way…what ¼ mile times are they getting in that thing?
WOW!
03-24-2006, 10:39 AM
#13
meh my next door neighbor has a car that goes 0-60 in less than second and does a 1/4 in less than 5. He's not allowed to break 305 mph on the track.. or it'd go it faster...
but other than that the bugatti is a wet dream.
but other than that the bugatti is a wet dream.
03-24-2006, 11:31 AM
#14
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I just watched the episode of Top gear where they reviewed this car for almost the whole hour. Mr. clackson said it was the best car he had ever driven.
He also said that in a race with a McClaren F1 and the bugatti. you could let the F1 get to 125 mph before starting the bugatti and the bugatti would reach 200 mph first. The show also said that top speed was LIMITED, and you don't even go into 7th gear until you hit 200mph.
He just went on about how great the car handles, rides, sounds. He loved everything about it. It's the 12.11.2005 episode...
He also said that in a race with a McClaren F1 and the bugatti. you could let the F1 get to 125 mph before starting the bugatti and the bugatti would reach 200 mph first. The show also said that top speed was LIMITED, and you don't even go into 7th gear until you hit 200mph.
He just went on about how great the car handles, rides, sounds. He loved everything about it. It's the 12.11.2005 episode...
03-24-2006, 11:41 AM
#15
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"The fuel economy - if that is the right word - is 9 miles per gallon in the city and 18 highway, according to preliminary E.P.A. estimates. Don't even think about mileage during more spirited driving: at maximum speed, the car would theoretically run out of fuel in 12 minutes, Mr. Raphanel said."
that's just pure insanity.
that's just pure insanity.
03-24-2006, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Aseras
meh my next door neighbor has a car that goes 0-60 in less than second and does a 1/4 in less than 5. He's not allowed to break 305 mph on the track.. or it'd go it faster...
but other than that the bugatti is a wet dream.
but other than that the bugatti is a wet dream.
Your neighbor is a professional drag racer? Is the car a Top Fuel dragster or a funny car?
Anyhoo......the Bugatti is a street legal car and can be driven for more than 30 seconds without overheating unlike your neighbors car.
03-24-2006, 04:35 PM
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Meh, that is slow. This is faster: http://www.supercars.net/cars/3448.html
12.9L V8 1100hp. 0-185 in 10 seconds (the Bugatti does it in about 14).
12.9L V8 1100hp. 0-185 in 10 seconds (the Bugatti does it in about 14).
03-24-2006, 08:04 PM
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That car is a wacky german toy.
I don't doubt that the engine makes 1100 DIN ps & 1300 Nm 958ft-lbs, not 1300 ft-lbs, 1300ft-lbs from 12.9 liters of cross plane crank carburetored V8, NEVER.
Someone did some miscalculation on revs, 8000 rpm would require the bore & stroke to be 148mm x 93.75mm, so unless that thing has at least 3 spark plugs per cylinder it isn't happening.
7000@25m/s mean piston speed would be more realistic @ 138.5mm bore x 107.1mm stroke.
All though at 7000rpm in 4th gear, that would be 228mph, seams do able if there isn't too much lift or aero instability.
So assuming no tire slip 7000 in gear, 1st would be 72mph, 2nd 111mph, 3rd 171mph
1000rpm idle, nice way to wake up everyone.
I don't doubt that the engine makes 1100 DIN ps & 1300 Nm 958ft-lbs, not 1300 ft-lbs, 1300ft-lbs from 12.9 liters of cross plane crank carburetored V8, NEVER.
Someone did some miscalculation on revs, 8000 rpm would require the bore & stroke to be 148mm x 93.75mm, so unless that thing has at least 3 spark plugs per cylinder it isn't happening.
7000@25m/s mean piston speed would be more realistic @ 138.5mm bore x 107.1mm stroke.
All though at 7000rpm in 4th gear, that would be 228mph, seams do able if there isn't too much lift or aero instability.
So assuming no tire slip 7000 in gear, 1st would be 72mph, 2nd 111mph, 3rd 171mph
1000rpm idle, nice way to wake up everyone.
03-24-2006, 08:14 PM
#20
i pwn therefore i am
Originally Posted by MikeW
That car is a wacky german toy.
I don't doubt that the engine makes 1100 DIN ps & 1300 Nm 958ft-lbs, not 1300 ft-lbs, 1300ft-lbs from 12.9 liters of cross plane crank carburetored V8, NEVER.
Someone did some miscalculation on revs, 8000 rpm would require the bore & stroke to be 148mm x 93.75mm, so unless that thing has at least 3 spark plugs per cylinder it isn't happening.
7000@25m/s mean piston speed would be more realistic @ 138.5mm bore x 107.1mm stroke.
All though at 7000rpm in 4th gear, that would be 228mph, seams do able if there isn't too much lift or aero instability.
So assuming no tire slip 7000 in gear, 1st would be 72mph, 2nd 111mph, 3rd 171mph
1000rpm idle, nice way to wake up everyone.
I don't doubt that the engine makes 1100 DIN ps & 1300 Nm 958ft-lbs, not 1300 ft-lbs, 1300ft-lbs from 12.9 liters of cross plane crank carburetored V8, NEVER.
Someone did some miscalculation on revs, 8000 rpm would require the bore & stroke to be 148mm x 93.75mm, so unless that thing has at least 3 spark plugs per cylinder it isn't happening.
7000@25m/s mean piston speed would be more realistic @ 138.5mm bore x 107.1mm stroke.
All though at 7000rpm in 4th gear, that would be 228mph, seams do able if there isn't too much lift or aero instability.
So assuming no tire slip 7000 in gear, 1st would be 72mph, 2nd 111mph, 3rd 171mph
1000rpm idle, nice way to wake up everyone.
03-25-2006, 10:46 AM
#23
Originally Posted by bascho
Your neighbor is a professional drag racer? Is the car a Top Fuel dragster or a funny car?
Anyhoo......the Bugatti is a street legal car and can be driven for more than 30 seconds without overheating unlike your neighbors car.
Anyhoo......the Bugatti is a street legal car and can be driven for more than 30 seconds without overheating unlike your neighbors car.
03-25-2006, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Aseras
It's a Jet Funny car.... I know, also the car can operate indefinetly as long as it has fuel. The car could easily go well beyond supersonic if you could actually control it.
That's pretty sweet. I went to see a 'nights of fire' event here in Michigan a few years back......the jet powered cars are awesome to see in person.
