Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ announced

Posted 24th July, 2013 in Bugatti | Leave a comment

Bugatti has announced that it will be creating a range of six special models based on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse that commemorate figures in the company’s history, with the first example – named after racing driver Jean-Pierre Wimille – being unveiled at next month’s Monterey Auto Week in California (August 18).

Piloting a Bugatti T51 in 1932, Wimille won the La Turbie hill climb, the Grand Prix de Lorraine and the Grand Prix d’Oran. He also tasted Grand Prix success in 1934 and 1936 behind the wheel of a T59. 1937 was fruitful thanks to a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Type 57G Tank, a feat repeated in 1939 with the supercharged Type 57C Tank.

Finished in blue clear-coated carbon fibre and light Wimille Bleu paintwork as a nod to Wimille’s victorious Type 57G tank-bodied racer, the cockpit has been specially designed to match the exterior of the vehicle. “The materials and colors selected, as well as a host of details, all reference the essential characteristics of the classic models driven by those figures to whom our edition pays homage. With these Bugatti Legends we are giving history a modern makeover,” said Achim Anscheidt, chief designer at Bugatti.

Using the 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model. The Vitesse was also recognised as the world’s fastest open-top production sports car after reaching 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) at Ehra-Lessien.

Just three ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ editions will be built, so get saving.