Skip advert
Advertisement
Reviews

2012 Bugatti Veyron Vitesse review

We drive the world's fastest convertible car, the 255mph, 1183bhp Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse

Evo rating
  • Utterly fabulous
  • Err....

What is it?

An open top Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport with performance improvements. Basically it's a toupee-troubling version of the world's fastest car – the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

It costs 1.65million euros, reaches 255mph and transfers 1183bhp to the tarmac from its W16 cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine. It is the world's fastest roadster.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Technical Highlights

Bugatti has liberated nearly 200 extra bhp from the standard Grand Sport’s engine with larger turbochargers, new water-to-air intercoolers and a tweaked ECU. That's a fifth more horsepower, or a whole Renaultsport Clio. Torque is 1106lb ft, delivered from 3000rpm to 5000rpm - that's a little higher than the 'small-turbo' standard Veyron.

The Veyron's four-wheel drive system is retained, as is the seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox - albeit with reinforced internals.

Springs and dampers are new, the monocoque has further layers of reinforcing carbonfibre and - get this - fuel consumption is improved. Not that you'd notice, or care.

What's it like to drive?

Extraordinary. Unique. Thrilling. It has been said many times, but the Veyron's single most impressive feature is its ability to sustain seemingly endless levels of acceleration. But this is evo, and raw pace is nothing without driver involvement - and perhaps what's not said enough is that the Veyron engages with the driver more than you'd expect. The steering is light and responsive, the brakes offer terrific feel and the throttle response good. The driver controls and feedback are such, and this will sound absurd, that you can hurl the car around pretty soon after stepping inside for the first time. And of course, with the roof removed the visceral dial goes all the way up to 11.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Negatives? You feel the weight of the engine and gearbox pushing you forward in the braking zone, which in turn translates into understeer. Get on the power, and this is forgotten as the car hooks up and fires you onwards. Traction is never an issue - but then we didn't drive it in the wet...

How does it compare?

To what? A private jet? A motor cruiser? An expensive mistress? Bugatti admits that the Veyron is rarely chosen instead of another supercar. Most owners already have a Ferrari Enzo or Porsche Carrera GT, and many also have one, or two Veyrons in the garage already...

In pure performance terms, only Koeniggsegg and Pagani get close - and subjectively speaking there's a sense of indomitable strength in the Bugatti that neither rival can match. Anything else I need to know?

In this realm, unfettered choice is the norm. Normal purchasing dilemmas do not apply.

Customers can have pretty much whatever they want, so exclusivity, owner experience, factory relationships and kudos are the key differentiators when it comes to buying decisions. The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, while not ultimately as engaging as an Enzo, Carrera GT or the Pagani Zonda, is all this and more - offering overall driveability, unburstable engineering, colossal acceleration and the kudos of being the world's fastest roadster. It is a magnificent car.

Oh, and did we mention that it can do 0-186mph in 16 seconds, and the quarter mile in ten?

Specifications

EngineW16, 7993cc, quad-turbo
Max power1183bhp @ 6400rpm
Max torque1106lb ft @ 3000rpm
0-602.6sec (claimed 0-62)
Top speed255mph
On saleNow
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024