The Fastest, Most Expensive Car - Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Want a very fast car? Are you financially well enough to buy a $1.5 mil car? Want diamonds in your dashboard? Want to own one of the most powerful and luxurious car in the market? I think your thinking of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph). It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the legendary Bugatti marque. It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is an exotic sports car. Without seeing one in person, it’s a little hard to judge the car’s size, but in terms of dimensions the Veyron is actually a little bit shorter in length than a Porsche 911. To help reduce weight, carbon fiber and aluminum have been extensively utilized for the car’s bodywork and structure, though the Veyron still checks in at close to 4,500 pounds.

The Veyron can reach 62mph from a standstill in 2.5sec and 122mph in 7.3sec. When 0-60mph in 7sec is the mark of a quick car, this one is out of the world as we know it — all two tons of it.

When you press the accelerator to the floor — and you had better be prepared for the rocket-like response — the needle on a dial to the left of the instrument panel flicks round to 1001. It’s a power indicator and it has absolutely no use except to give the driver a sense of awe. It should be called a “boast gauge”.

According to those who’ve had the pleasure of seat time, the Bugatti Veyron is a relatively easy car to drive. Handling, though not as visceral or engaging as other exotic sports cars, is still monumentally impressive. Meanwhile, the car coddles its occupants with leather upholstery and special aluminum trim, while interior measurements are in fact quite roomy. Outward forward visibility, however, is noticeably poor due to the car’s very thick A-pillars.

Not everybody can buy a Bugatti Veyron. Only 300 Veyron can be made. Its the production limit. And only 60 persons had made downpayments for this car. It is an ultimate in technology. It is a billionaire’s prized possession, the automotive equivalent of one of those hideously expensive Swiss watches. And it will be the stuff of dreams, the bedroom poster for a generation of young boys.

MSRP: $1,500,000 - $2,065,902

More on the Bugatti Veyron 16.4:

Million-Euro Bugatti at Forbes.com

Bugatti Veyron review at TimesOnline

Cars Automotive

Volkswagen Golf 2009

Volkswagen is sending a new Golf out into the world, the best of all times. The Volkswagen Golf is a phenomenon, regardless of its particular generation. Positioned in the compact class, this style icon defies all automotive and social class distinctions. No other Car in this price segment has even come close to reaching as large a cross-section of people. The Volkswagen Golf is the only one that always fits right, and the new one is even better fitting.



It was perfected in every detail. It is also the quest for perfection that has elevated the styling of the Volkswagen Golf to a new level. The team headed up by the Group’s chief designer, the Italian Walter de Silva, has succeeded in giving the Volkswagen Golf a presence, a sharpness, a power that generates even more fun. Fun to look at and fun to drive. An intelligent Car. Data such as an average fuel consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers for a 110 PS TDI put fuel prices in their place. Upon request, the VW Golf can park itself nearly automatically in the city thanks to “Park Assist”, it can maintain an ideal gap on the freeway by distance control (ACC), and at the push of a button it can transform itself from a cruiser to a sports Car when the new “DCC Adaptive Chassis Control” system is on board.



Above all, the Car exhibits a standard of quality never before attained in this price class. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG sums it up: “This sixth generation of Volkswagen Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before”. In Europe the new Volkswagen Golf will be introduced to the market in October. Following in succession will be Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.



Innovative force – the VW Golf democratizes progress



The clear and powerful styling of the Volkswagen Golf being offered as a two-door and four-door in the “Trendline”, “Comfortline” and “Highline” equipment lines is showing the entire brand the way to the future. The Volkswagen’s acoustic properties and overall comfort tear down class distinctions. Innovative engine and transmission technologies reduce fuel consumption by up to 28 percent. All gasoline and diesel engines fulfill emission limits of the future Euro-5 standard.



Assistance systems such as “ACC Automatic Distance Control” – as well as developments like “DCC Adaptive Chassis Control” (DCC) and “Park Assist” – bring additional top technologies to the Volkswagen Golf class. A new ESP system, with finer response over its control range, further optimized crash properties, seven airbags including knee airbag, the special head restraints (WOKS) that work to counteract whiplash trauma, a “seatbelt detection” feature debuting on the Volkswagen Golf in the rear seating area and daytime running lights – also standard equipment – provide for a maximum level of safety.



Exterior design – precision in a new form



The exceptionally high value of the new Golf is reflected par excellence in its stylish design; all key body elements were redesigned: “We have cast the Volkswagen Golf’s core components in a precise new mold”, explains Walter de Silva. And he emphasizes this: “The Volkswagen Golf is the global icon of Car making. So the architecture and styling of new model are also absolutely clear and unique.” At the same time, the sixth Volkswagen Golf has a sportier and more distinctive image than any previous generation of the model series. De Silva: “It is more accentuated, more three-dimensional than its predecessor; with precisely defined lines and edges, and with finely proportioned flared surfaces and recesses.” And Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer for the brand, adds: “Every detail is uncompromisingly aimed at improving value.”



Especially in a direct comparison of generations VW Golf V and VI, it becomes evident just how much the new Golf has changed. The design team – headed up by Walter de Silva, Klaus Bischoff and the Group’s director for creative design, Flavio Manzoni – crystallized out the Volkswagen Golf’s essential DNA and sent it on a trip to the future. Style features include the clarity of the first generation’s front end and the C-pillar that was perfected in the fourth generation.



The roof section now rests – similar to the new Volkswagen Scirocco – on a prominently contoured shoulder section. Responsible for this is a dominant curved line that – like a muscle trained down to the last fiber – extends from the headlights back to the taillights. This side profile line – which Volkswagen Design calls the “character line” – also gives the VW Golf a fuller, lower stance on the road from a lateral perspective.



All body surfaces are more relaxed, more athletic. In front the new Car adopts the radiator grille of the first generation Volkswagen Golf that is horizontally aligned between the headlights; the grille itself is in high-gloss black. The lines of the bumper match those of the radiator grille. Beneath this is a section with another air scoop. Also presented over a black background are the chrome light housings of the dynamically styled headlamps.



The rear too is characterized by a predominance of horizontal lines. The taillights – now very wide – are marked among other things by an unmistakably unique night design. Stylistically, the crystal-clear line of turn signal and backup lamps bears a resemblance to the taillights of the Touareg. Overall, the new Volkswagen Golf – in the interplay of all of its design characteristics – gives the appearance of a significantly wider, flatter and higher end Car.



Interior – imploding class distinctions



The Car’s exceptionally high value also applies to the newly designed interior, whose refined surfaces and features completely transform class distinctions, both to the touch and visually, especially in the cockpit area. The appearance and layout of materials – as well as details such as brushed chrome accents and round in­struments and steering wheels derived directly from those of the Volkswagen Passat CC – leave the impression that one is actually sitting in a Car of the next higher segment. Ergonomic properties of the Car’s interior were also further developed. For example, all controls are even easier to use. They include controls for the automatic climate control system (Climatronic) being presented for the first time on the Passat CC, the new RNS 310 radio-navigation system with touchscreen and the power window controls that are now located further forward in the door trim, making them easier to access.



There is a common thread here: Volkswagen’s typical attention to perfection of every detail in the Car. Take the example of “seatbelt detection” in the rear: if rear head airbags are ordered on the Volkswagen Golf, the driver can tell from the multifunctional display in the cockpit and an acoustic warning whether the occupants have their seatbelts fastened in the rear – separately for each seat. Or take the example of leather seats: a new, more robust leather is being used for the first time on the VW Golf. Or the cargo area: on the new Volkswagen Golf too, four practical hooks ensure that the contents of shopping bags are not strewn across the cargo area after shopping. Or the outside mirrors: thanks to their aerodynamically optimized shape they get significantly less dirty. They are easier to adjust from the inside, since the power mirror adjustment control is now located higher and further forward in the door trim.



Low-noise comfort – the quietest Volkswagen Golf since the model series began



The new VW Golf is characterized by first-class acoustic properties. A special sound-damping film in the windshield reduces driving noises, as does the newly developed seal design on the doors and side window guides. Significantly less wind noise is generated by the outside mirrors due to their new shape. Furthermore, special modifications were made to better isolate the engine and passenger compartments from one another acoustically. Quiet rolling tires and new engine bearings round out the noise reduction program.



Diesel engines – the shift to common rail injection



Making a significant contribution to the pioneering acoustic properties of the Volkswagen Golf are the exceptionally quiet common rail TDI engines being implemented on the Volkswagen Golf for the first time. Two balancer shafts (from 103 kW / 140 PS) also eliminate undesirable vibrations. Plans call for a TDI power range from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS. Right at its market launch Volkswagen will be offering two 2.0 liter TDI engines on the Volkswagen Golf; they deliver 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. Always there: a diesel particulate filter (DPF).



The new TDIs are exceptionally fuel efficient. The 110 PS strong diesel is satisfied with just 4.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (119 g/km CO2) – that represents a 0.6 liter reduction in fuel consumption! Even the 140-PS version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2), which is 0.6 liter less than the on the previous generation.



Gasoline engines – more fuel efficient than ever before



In the launch phase, four variants will define the range of gasoline engines with 59 kW / 80 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 118 kW / 160 PS. Starting at 90 kW / 122 PS, TSI engines with supercharging and/or turbocharging are used. The fact is: the gasoline engines are also pioneers in economy. The optimized 80-PS entry-level engine consumes just 6.4 liters Super per hundred kilometers (149 g/km CO2) – that is 0.5 liter less than its predecessor. The TSI engines once again make their appearance as prime examples of efficiency: with 122 PS the new Golf 1.4 TSI consumes just 6.2 liters Super (144 g/km CO2); this represents a fuel consumption advantage of 0.1 liters. Even the new 160-PS top version of the 1.4 TSI achieves a top value at 6.3 liters. The 160-PS TSI’s fuel consumption too was lowered by 1.6 liters compared to the retired 150-PS FSI.



DSG – replaces conventional automatic



With the exception of the entry-level versions, all gasoline and diesel engines may be paired with Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission (DSG). Either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG is used, depending on engine torque. This means that on the VW Golf the extremely efficient and agile DSG has replaced the classic torque converter automatic. Just how economical the alliance of TSI plus DSG can be is demonstrated by the example of average fuel consumption on the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS and 7-speed DSG: 6.0 liters (139 g/km CO2). This high-tech duo replaces the 2.0 FSI with 150 PS and 6-speed automatic. Average fuel consumption there: 8.3 liters. Savings: 2.3 liters per hundred kilometers or 28 percent – progress at its best.