Saturday, 2 PM at the Ehra-Lessien high-speed oval. The tension is palpable as Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel Pierre Henri Raphanel prepares for an attempt to redefine speed. Helmet and gloves on, safety belts tightened, engineers meticulously perform final checks on the striking orange and black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Tyre pressure, temperature, systems – all green. The Super Sport breaches the light barrier, initiating the timed run. The challenge: two runs, north to south and then immediately in reverse, within one hour. Only the driver is permitted to touch the car during this critical period.
The air crackles with anticipation. Moments later, a sound akin to a jet engine intensifies from the horizon. Headlights pierce the distance, resolving into the unmistakable silhouette of the Veyron. A deafening whoosh erupts as Raphanel blasts past at breathtaking velocity. The GPS speedometer peaks at an astounding 427.933 km/h. The procedure is repeated in the opposite direction, this time achieving an even higher 434.211 km/h. Averaging these runs, representatives from TÜV and Guinness World Records certified a top speed of 431.072 km/h (268 mph). This figure even surpassed Bugatti’s own engineering projections.
Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bugatti’s chief engineer, expressed surprise and satisfaction: “We anticipated an average speed of 425 km/h, but the day’s perfect conditions allowed us to achieve even more.” This record-breaking feat solidified the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport as not just a car, but a legend.
From Customer Demand to Record-Breaking Reality
The genesis of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport lies in a tradition deeply rooted in Bugatti’s history. Just as Ettore Bugatti’s discerning clientele historically requested enhanced performance from already exceptional models, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. responded to similar desires from their modern customers. They sought not merely a visually distinct successor to the original Veyron, but a machine delivering a significantly more intense and sporty driving experience. The answer was the Super Sport, a hypercar engineered to deliver an unprecedented 1,200-hp (882 kW), offering seasoned drivers an entirely new echelon of driving exhilaration. Boasting a colossal 1,500 Newton meters of torque, the production Super Sport was initially limited to a top speed of 415 km/h to safeguard the tires – a testament to its immense power. However, the underlying technology remained identical to the record-setting vehicle, promising extraordinary capability. The first five Super Sports produced formed an exclusive “World Record Edition” series, mirroring the exact configuration of the land speed record car.
The Super Sport represents a deliberate and advanced evolution of the iconic 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, which debuted in 2005. The original Veyron established a benchmark with features like its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and exceptional handling, offering remarkable precision in cornering and unwavering stability during both acceleration and braking. Bugatti’s continuous pursuit of extreme performance boundaries fueled ongoing innovation, enabling engineers to refine the Veyron platform and unlock even greater potential, pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering. Every modification implemented in the Super Sport was meticulously designed to amplify power and enhance agility. Larger turbochargers – four in total – and uprated intercoolers were employed to amplify the output of the formidable 16-cylinder engine. The chassis underwent substantial redesign to ensure safety and composure at extreme velocities. This included subtly increased main-spring travel, more robust stabilizers, and cutting-edge shock absorbers, incorporating complex architecture originally conceived for racing applications. These enhancements translated to noticeably more precise wheel control and overall vehicle dynamics. Achieving lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and featuring optimized interaction between the tires and the intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the Super Sport delivers impeccable handling and even more vigorous acceleration out of corners, thanks to its immense 1,500 Newton meters of torque.
Aerodynamic refinement played a crucial role in the Super Sport’s development. The bodywork was meticulously sculpted to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect equilibrium across the speed spectrum. The revised carbon fiber structure of the monocoque chassis not only reduced weight but also ensured exceptional torsional rigidity and passive safety. Constructed entirely from carbon-fiber composites, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport was offered with the option of a striking 100-percent clear-lacquered exposed carbon finish, showcasing its advanced construction.
Dynamic Design Reflecting Performance
Beyond its incorporation of advanced motorsport technologies, every facet of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport pays homage to the pioneering spirit of Ettore Bugatti. A visionary who hailed from a family of artists, Ettore Bugatti’s design philosophy was always predicated on harmonizing mechanical perfection with aesthetic beauty. This enduring ethos remains central to the Bugatti marque, and the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport stands as an unmistakable embodiment of this principle, where every exterior modification is intrinsically linked to enhancing the car’s performance capabilities.
The Super Sport’s low-slung, extended silhouette immediately distinguishes it. Air for the prodigious 16-cylinder engine is now drawn via two NACA ducts seamlessly integrated into the roof, replacing the scoops atop the engine compartment on the standard Veyron. The front air intakes were enlarged and reshaped, with the lower intake gracefully extending around the flanks to the wheel arches, optimizing airflow and cooling. The redesigned rear fascia exudes a more aggressive and sporty character, defined by a double diffuser and a centrally positioned exhaust system.
Bugatti boasts a rich heritage of producing “Super Sport” variants of its most celebrated models, typically featuring racing-derived chassis and supercharged engines. These were regarded as genuine racing machines tailored for the most devoted Bugatti enthusiasts. Notable examples include the Type 55 and Type 57S, both exceptionally rare, with only approximately forty units of each ever produced.
By the time of the Super Sport’s launch, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. had already sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports, with 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports delivered to customers worldwide. Production of the Super Sport commenced in Autumn at Bugatti’s Molsheim Atelier, alongside the Veyron and Grand Sport. The initial five “World Record Edition” cars, finished in a distinctive black exposed carbon fiber with orange accents, were already pre-sold, underscoring the model’s immediate desirability and exclusivity. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport made its public debut in California during the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend in mid-August, gracing events such as The Quail, the Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, and the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, captivating audiences and cementing its place in automotive history.
