The date was Saturday, and the time was 2 PM. On that day, Bugatti’s official test driver, Pierre Henri Raphanel, prepared to make history. Helmet and gloves on, safety belts tightened, while engineers made final checks – tyre pressure, temperature, systems all green. The black and orange Bugatti Veyron Super Sport edged across the timing light barrier. The clock started ticking. The challenge: to drive from South to North and back again within one hour. During this crucial time, only the driver could touch the vehicle. Tension was palpable.
Moments later, the sound, akin to a jumbo jet taking off, grew louder. First, the Veyron’s headlights pierced the distance, then the car’s shape materialized, a loud ‘woosh’ as Raphanel sped past at an unbelievable velocity. The GPS speedometer peaked at 427.933 km/h (approximately 266 mph). The procedure was repeated in the opposite direction. This time, the Super Veyron hit an even higher 434.211 km/h (around 270 mph). Averaging these runs, representatives from “TÜV” and Guinness World Records certified an astonishing top speed of 431.072 km/h (268 mph). This figure even surprised Bugatti’s own engineering team.
“We anticipated an average speed of around 425 km/h,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bugatti’s chief engineer, “but the conditions were perfect that day, allowing us to achieve even more.” This record cemented the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport as not just a car, but a legend.
The Pinnacle of the Veyron Lineage: The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport
Drawing from the legacy of Ettore Bugatti, whose discerning customers often requested enhanced performance versions of successful models, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. responded to a similar demand. Clients desired not just a visually distinct second model, but a Veyron that offered a more intense and sporty driving experience. The answer was the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport.
This iteration delivered an astounding 1,200 horsepower (882 kW), designed to offer seasoned drivers an entirely new level of thrill. It boasted a maximum torque of 1,500 Newton meters and a electronically limited top speed of 415 km/h (approximately 258 mph) to protect the tires during regular use. However, the underlying technology of the production Super Sport remained fundamentally the same as the record-breaking car. In fact, the first five Super Sports produced formed a special “World Record Edition” series, mirroring the exact configuration of the land speed record vehicle.
The Super Sport represents the further evolution of the iconic 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, which debuted in 2005. The original Veyron was already a marvel of engineering, featuring a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, exceptional handling in corners, and remarkable stability under both braking and acceleration.
Engineering for Extreme Performance
Continuous pursuit of pushing performance boundaries led Bugatti engineers to innovate and refine the Veyron platform, creating a machine capable of reaching unprecedented dimensions of speed and agility. Every modification was meticulously crafted to produce an even more potent and responsive car. To achieve this power increase, the 16-cylinder engine was equipped with four larger turbochargers and bigger intercoolers.
Beyond the engine enhancements, the chassis underwent a comprehensive redesign to ensure safety and stability at extreme velocities. This included subtly increased main-spring travel, stronger stabilizers, and new, advanced shock absorbers – technologies originally developed for racing applications. These upgrades resulted in significantly more precise wheel control and overall vehicle handling. The Super Sport achieves lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and features enhanced interaction between the tires and the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This combination provides exceptional handling and even more forceful acceleration out of corners, thanks to the immense 1,500 Newton meters of torque.
The vehicle’s bodywork was also meticulously refined to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect equilibrium in all driving conditions. The new carbon fiber structure of the monocoque chassis ensured maximum torsional rigidity and enhanced passive safety, while simultaneously reducing weight. The entire outer skin is constructed from carbon-fiber composites. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport was offered with the option of a 100 percent clear-lacquered exposed carbon finish, showcasing the advanced materials used in its construction.
Dynamic and Distinctive Exterior
Every aspect of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, extending beyond its utilization of cutting-edge motorsport technology, pays homage to the pioneering spirit of company founder Ettore Bugatti. Bugatti, from a family of artists, always adhered to a philosophy of merging mechanical perfection with aesthetic beauty. This principle remains deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos, and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is instantly recognizable, with every exterior modification serving a functional purpose in enhancing the car’s performance.
The Super Sport’s low-slung, extended silhouette is immediately distinctive. Air for the massive 16-cylinder engine is fed via two NACA ducts integrated into the roof, rather than the scoops found above the engine in the standard Veyron. The front air intakes were enlarged and reshaped, with the lower intake extending elegantly around the sides to the wheel arches. The redesigned rear end features a sportier aesthetic, characterized by a double diffuser and a centrally positioned exhaust system.
Bugatti has a rich heritage of producing super-sport versions of its most successful models, often incorporating racing chassis and supercharged engines. These were considered true racing machines for dedicated Bugatti enthusiasts. Notable examples include the Type 55 and Type 57S, with only approximately forty of each model ever produced.
By the time the Super Sport was introduced, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. had already sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports, with 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports delivered to customers. Production of the Super Sport commenced in autumn in Molsheim, alongside the Veyron and Grand Sport. The first five cars, the “World Record Edition,” featured a unique black exposed carbon and orange finish and were already pre-sold to eager collectors.
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport made its public debut in California during the Pebble Beach Concours weekend in mid-August. It was prominently featured at The Quail, the Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, and on the concept lawn of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, solidifying its place in automotive history and desire.
