(continued from the previous page)
Chassis
In order to put the unrivalled power onto the road absolutely safely and
masterfully, the engineers have reconfigured the chassis of the Vitesse. Thanks
to the quick-responding dampers that have been adapted from motor racing, the
control of the vehicle has been further improved and perfectly balanced. Body
roll and pitching during hard acceleration and braking are now virtually
imperceptible. Optimised wheel-load fluctuations have further reduced understeer
and allow a maximum level of active safety. In addition to the incomparable
lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 g, the precise interaction of the tires (on
all-new, lighter 20-inch "Vitesse"-type alloy wheels), together with the
intelligent all-wheeldrive system, ensures extremely good handling. The chassis,
all-wheel-drive system and the revised ESP form a dynamic alliance: since the
reconfigured ESP kicks in slightly later, for example when you accelerate out of
corners, the Grand Sport Vitesse also provides a more dynamic performance in
these situations. It goes without saying that Bugatti has adapted the
brake-cooling system to account for the even higher engine output. The brakes,
which are unparalleled in terms of stability and performance, now have
additional and larger air intakes.
In general, it can be said that the Grand Sport Vitesse is even sportier than
the 1,001 hp Grand Sport, but at the same time it has not been turned into a
full-blown racing car. It therefore remains easy to master for the driver. In
this context, it is simply astounding that Bugatti managed to increase comfort
in the chassis area by reducing the dynamic natural frequency.
Body
Bugatti has developed a new roof spoiler for the Grand Sport Vitesse that
significantly reduces wind noise and buffeting in the interior. Furthermore,
there will be a new windbreak for the roadster that can be stored away compactly
in the luggage compartment when not in use. Both details will also be available
for the Grand Sport. Together, they allow extremely relaxed, open-top driving
even at speeds of around 124 mph (200 km/h).
Numerous aerodynamic measures at the front and rear that appeared on the Super
Sport have been adapted for the Grand Sport Vitesse. The front end is therefore
characterized by larger air intakes; the two central air intakes to the left and
right of the Bugatti radiator grille are divided horizontally by a bar. The
bottom air vent stretches sideways into the wheel housing and gives this
exceptional sports car an extremely masterful appearance. Immediately below this
air intake, you will see a new, visually refined front spoiler that has been
designed in a similar way to the splitters used in motor racing. The improved
xenon headlights from the Super Sport, which are now framed in black, are also
new. The rear end, which is also derived from the Super Sport, is characterized
by a double diffusor and a centrally positioned twin tailpipe. A new Park
Distance Control system (PDC) watches over the front and the rear.
The two air scoops on the left and right of the engine cover (redesigned for the
Vitesse) are a characteristic of the Grand Sport and thus also of the Grand
Sport Vitesse. These air scoops fulfill two tasks on the roadster. On the one
hand, they pull in air for the engine, and on the other, they are an elegantly
integrated part of the anti-roll protection system. As on the Super Sport, a
full-carbon-fiber monocoque, which allows an extremely high torsional rigidity
combined with maximum passive safety, is also used on the Grand Sport Vitesse.
The outer skin is also made completely from carbon fiber and, consequently, the
new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is available in clear-coated visible
carbon.
Interior Design
Carbon fiber is (along with stainless metals such as Aluminum and Magnesium)
also the dominant material in the interior of the Grand Sport Vitesse. Numerous
interior parts are now made from carbon fiber in the 1,200 hp roadster. This
includes the centre console extension, a cover with EB logo in the rear-bulkhead
leather trim (between the seat backrests) and the belt outlet covers on the
seats. The décor on the centre console, the door inserts and the adjoining trim
on the instrument panel are also made from carbon fiber. The bicolor black trim
parts are also new in the Grand Sport version, and so is a special seat design
for the Grand Sport Vitesse. The two-tone leather seat covers are enhanced by
contrasting stitching between the seat base and the side sections. Contrasting
stitching is also featured on the leather armrest between the seats, which comes
without the typical quilting. Also new: knee pads in the centre tunnel area, an
additional 12 V socket (in the glove compartment), the restraint systems, the
illuminated start and parking lock button (same as Super Sport), an instrument
cluster with shift-up information and - as a matter of honor - the power gauge
that now goes up to 1,200 hp!
Configuration of the Geneva Show Vehicles
There is no end to the individualization options for the Bugatti. Each one of
the 350 Veyrons built is therefore unique. This also applies to the two Grand
Sport Vitesse models that Bugatti is exhibiting at the 2012 Geneva International
Motor Show. The blue version of the new roadster is finished in visible carbon
fiber. The upper area of the body is finished in "Blue Carbon" while the roof
area and air scoops are "Lake Blue". The lower body panels (side skirting, front
spoiler, radiator grill frame and rear apron with diffusor), the inner surfaces
of the wheel rims and the underside of the automatically extending rear spoiler
are in "Light Blue Sport", which has a hint of turquoise. The exterior colors
are picked up again in the interior. While the large surfaces feature dark blue
tones, "New Light Blue" is used for the contrasting stitching and the Vitesse
labelling on the seats. This Vitesse version costs 1,91 million euros ($2,5
million).
The second Grand Sport Vitesse is painted in dark "Jet Grey". Instead of two
colors, this model uses an interaction between shiny areas (lids, roof and air
scoop) and matte surfaces and elements (side parts, exterior mirrors and door
handles). The radiator grill and wheel rims have been painted black. The orange
underside of the rear wing matches the "Tangerine" coloring that Bugatti has
used, for example, for the seats, the carpets, the underside of dashboard, the
door edging, the contrasting stitching and the Vitesse labelling in the
interior. All other surfaces, including the carbon parts, are black. In both
cases, the aggressive, dynamic look of the vehicles fits in with the positioning
of the new Grand Sport Vitesse. Its price is 1,75 million euros ($2,27 million).
The classic Grand Sport, a sports car with an elegant, artistic orientation,
will, of course, remain in the range. Following the success of the L'Or Blanc
(created in cooperation with Berlin-based porcelain makers Königlichen
Porzellan-Manufaktur), Bugatti is currently working on further unusual ways to
individualize the Grand Sport. In Geneva, the world's most exclusive car
manufacturer is presenting a version of the roadster in visible carbon fiber in
a brownish finish for the first time. One challenge for the production is to
give the visible carbon a transparent gleam while allowing the color to radiate
vibrantly in a certain light. On the Grand Sport presented in Geneva, the carbon
parts made in the new color "Brown" (lids, rear end, front spoiler and side
skirting) shimmer in an almost bronze shade depending on how the light falls. To
create a contrast, the side parts on this Grand Sport, right up to the rear air
intakes, are made from polished aluminum. The interior of the sports car, with
"Gaucho" colored leather and dark stitching (color "Coffee"), complements the
exterior. It costs 1,79 million euros ($2,33 million).
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications