Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Molsheim/Pebble Beach, August 16, 2008 – The world's most significant celebration of the automobile takes place annually in Monterey, California. This year, it will see some of the most elegant, exclusive, and valuable vehicles ever produced in over 100 years of motoring, with Bugatti set to play a prominent role. On the evening prior to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the highlight of the event, the marque renowned for impeccable automotive solutions, aesthetics and driving dynamics will unveil a second model to the world – the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with a unique removable roof.

In response to customer demand, significant modifications have been made to the vehicle's complex structure to make possible open-top driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car. Incorporating a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features, it is the world's fastest and most exciting roadster. It is immediately recognizable as a result of its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.

The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong while weighing an absolute minimum – it is a central element of the vehicle's structure. As the roof is an integral part of this, removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle's rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.

As a result, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.


The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam.

In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection should the car roll.

Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor in the rear-view-mirror, and the "Puccini" sound system with digital signal processor. When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with roof off. Should it rain, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time. When this
folding roof is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h. Assembled by hand at the company's headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be available from March 2009 at the price of 1.4 million euros (excluding tax). Just 150 examples will be made, with the first 50 of these going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. The first vehicle is certain to be highly sought after, and Bugatti has taken the decision to donate this specific car to charity. It will be sold to the highest bidder at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company

2008 Ferrari F430 Race by Novitec Rosso

707 hp, 712 Nm, 0 – 100 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 216 mph and extremely sporty interior appointments: Those are the most important characteristics of the Ferrari F430 RACE from NOVITEC ROSSO, the world’s leading tuner of sports cars from Maranello. The NOVITEC ROSSO two-seater is one of the world’s fastest and most powerful street-legal cars and starts at 193,277 Euros MSRP ($295,365).

At the heart of the snow-white racer featuring triple-design black stripes lies the NOVITEC ROSSO twin-supercharger engine in its latest evolutionary stage – RACE. Up to now, the eight-cylinder, four-valve engine with a displacement of 4,308 ccm and mechanical NOVITEC ROSSO twin superchargers produced 656 hp / 482 kW.

For an additional 51 hp / 38 kW of power the components were again modified extensively. The two belt-driven superchargers were fitted with different turbine vanes and maximum boost pressure was increased to 0.48 bar. Two generously dimensioned intercoolers with their own supply of cooling water lower the temperature of the charge air for maximum power yield.

The Ferrari engine is further fitted with an entirely new heat-insulated intake manifold with larger ports and high-performance air filters. A special air duct in the underfloor routes cooling air to the engine. The injection system is fitted with larger injection nozzles. On the exhaust side, low-pressure sport catalysts and the NOVITEC ROSSO stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with electronically controlled flap ensure optimal gas evacuation.

The electronic engine management coordinates the flawless interaction of the tuning components with newly programmed mapping for ignition, injection and on-board diagnostics, and ensures clean emissions that meet EURO IV limits. Enlarged cooling systems for water and oil guarantee the engine’s thermal health. Also contributing to the thermal well-being are the NOVITEC ROSSO exposed carbon-fiber breather grilles on the hood. The carbon-fiber engine bay cladding provides an attractive backdrop for the performance tuning.

The NOVITEC ROSSO RACE twin-supercharger conversion, available for all Ferrari F430 coupes at a cost of 51,260 Euros, boosts maximum power output by 217 hp / 159.7 kW over the production engine. 707 hp / 520 kW at 8,350 rpm and a peak torque of 712 Nm at 6,300 rpm elevate the F430 RACE to a performance level attained only by a select few, markedly more expensive super sports cars.


The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200 km/h. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In combination with longer gear ratios available upon request the top speed grows from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

To be able to safely control this enormous performance potential at all times NOVITEC ROSSO also modifies aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes.

Like all other body components the NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler was developed in the wind tunnel. It is attached to the underside of the production front apron. It lends the F430 an even more aggressive frontal appearance and reduces lift on the front axle.


The sides of the mid-engine sports car are refined with NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panels. The NOVITEC ROSSO rear diffuser is custom-tailored to the standard venturi tunnel and increases downforce on the rear axle. Upon customer request a rear wing can be added as well. Black-tinted taillights and lateral turn signals complete the sporty RACE looks.

20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19-inch wheels: The three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 double-spoke wheels in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the F430 wheel houses perfectly. High-performance tires in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 come from technology partner PIRELLI.

Agile, safe handling is one of the strengths of the NOVITEC ROSSO sport suspension for the Ferrari, optimized everyday use the other. Contrary to the production suspension the front can be raised by 40 millimeters at the push of a button to safely navigate past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself back to normal position, about 35 millimeters lower than the production car. NOVITEC ROSSO sport stabilizers reduce body roll and provide even more direct turn-in.

The NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance brake system was developed in cooperation with Brembo. It features six-piston calipers with 380-mm vented and cross-drilled steel discs on front and rear axles. The brake delivers maximum stopping power and endurance.


NOVITEC ROSSO also offers custom options for the interior of all Ferrari F430 models. The flattened bottom of the leather/carbon-fiber sport-steering wheel facilitates entering and exiting the vehicle. The longer NOVITEC ROSSO carbon-fiber F1-style shift paddles are easy to use even during fast cornering. Among the attractive accessories are also an elongated center console, carbon-fiber scuff plates and the NOVITEC ROSSO Supersport seats that can be custom-tailored to the driver’s body. Custom interiors can be crafted in any leather and Alcantara colors and designs.