The world's fastest convertible is... a Bugatti.
Following on the speed of 431.072km/h set by the the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport coupe in 2010, a Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse has set a benchmark for open-top production sports cars at the Volkswagen proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien.
German standards organisation TÜV confirmed that the 885kW Vitesse, driven by the Chinese entrepreneur and passionate racing driver Anthony Liu, reached a top speed of 408.84km/h.
Bugatti boss Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber said: “When we introduced the Vitesse, we established the top speed that was practicable for open-top driving was about 375km/h, but we couldn't let go of the possibility of reaching the 400km/h milestone with this car as well - and now we've done it!”
EXPERIENCE THE SOUND
Liu said: “We'd gone over 400km/h several times in practice but to hit 408 with the TÜV observers present was a huge thrill.
“And even at that speed the car cars is incredibly stable and comfortable. With an open top you can really experience the sound of the engine, yet I wasn't buffeted by the slipstream at all.”
The Vitesse has an eight-litre W16 engine rated at 885kW and 1500Nm, driving all four wheels. A specially developed roof spoiler and an intricately designed windbreak almost completely prevent turbulence in the cockpit; Schreiber doesn't think it would have been possible to crack 400km/h without them.
UNOFFICIAL
It’s worth noting, however, that the Guinness Book of World Records, the acknowleged authority on such matters, has disallowed the coupe’s record, partly because the car wasn’t quite standard (its speed limiter had been removed) and partly because speed records are always the average of two runs in opposite directions made within an hour of each other, whereas the Veyron’s 431.072 mark was a one-way flyer, so we don’t know how official the convertible’s speed will be, either. Still, it remains an impressive achievement.
The 408km/h roadster, in its special back and orange livery, will be shown in public for the first time at the Shanghai Motor Show from 21-29 April. After that Bugatti will be building just eight replicas, the World Record Car Edition, at €1.99 million (R23.2 million) each ex factory, not including import duties and VAT.