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2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport
The Bugatti Veyron is (still) the world’s fastest production car, having just wrested the crown from itself in a successful world-record attempt. The new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport comes with four enlarged turbochargers and bigger intercoolers that have been used to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine to a total of 1200 HP, the chassis has been extensively redesigned to maintain safety at extreme speeds. This gives noticeably more precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole. With lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and improved interaction between the tires and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration of 1,500 NM on corner exits.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport set the speed record as the fastest production car in the world going 431 km/h (268 mph), with former race driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel behind the wheel. Production versions of the Super Sport will have their top speed electronically limited to 258 mph, in order to protect the tires from certain, expedient death. To achieve that higher velocity, the car has undergone a pretty significant aerodynamic rework, with the most obvious change being the removal of the steamship-esque silver air intakes.
The new Veyron is large for a two-seater, measuring 175.7 in. from bumper to bumper, and riding on a 106.7-in. wheelbase. It’s wide and low at 78.7 in. and 46.8 in., respectively. The car looks similar to the base Veyron, but there are subtle differences. On its roof are two NACA ducts that feed air into the engine, and the front of the car has been reshaped to house larger air vents (the lower one extending around the sides to the wheel arch).
The normal Veyron has a 16 cylinder engine that is fitted with 4 turbos, and makes 1,001hp, a figure immune to the word, “inadequate.” But when we hear “turbo” we think boost. And when an engine comes from a factory with any amount of boost, our brain immediately wonders what fun can be had with more boost.
This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the extraordinarily precise driving performance in bends and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.
The car now has four fuel pumps, compared with the Veyron’s two, feeding the larger quad turbochargers. A less restrictive (and louder) exhaust system was developed. That and some engine-management programming increases torque to a hilarious 1,500 Newton-meters (1,103 pound-feet), and peak torque is higher in the rev band. Suspension-wise, the ride height was raised slightly (to accommodate greater high-speed downforce); and the air suspension, half-shafts, links and wheels were lightened, reinforced and laced tighter.
The fastest production car and one that’s holding on to the record in style is the Bugatti Veyron. It even has been successful in creating a world record for itself in this field and ironically has beaten its own record for creating the new record. The test driver who sat behind wheels of the new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport car made good an average speed of 268 mph. the driver and the car achieved this fete at the Ehra-Lessien test track which is located just outside of Wolfsburg. The previous record which was held by the Veyron 16.4 coupe was 15 mph lesser than this present new record. Not only is the car, by performance faster than its previous version, even the conditions of the day helped the car in achieving its feat. The Bugatti themselves had predicted a speed of 264 mph.
The body of the car has been made of carbon-fiber monocoque. This assists in increase of torsion rigidity as well as reduction in weight. The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety – at reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clear-lacquered exposed carbon on request. Bugatti team has promised to give the production car with a clear coated paint for all its rear panels. This would give a view of the wave.
