Although not scheduled to be shown publicly until the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance in August, Bugatti just couldn’t wait to make news with what’s expected to be the final iteration of its spectacular — and spectacularly expensive — supercar, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. Unlike the standard model that has its quad-turbocharged W16 engine tuned to produce a mere 1,001 horsepower, this limited-edition Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport boasts 1,183 horses on call thanks to its even larger array of T-chargers and intercooler units. Combined with other Super Sport-specific modifications, that extra muscle was enough to take this carbon-fiber and orange exhilarator to a new two-way, top-speed mark for production cars of 267.91 mph.
In addition to handily topping the standard Veyron 16.4’s best of 253.76 mph, the Super Sport also eclipsed the previously recognized world speed mark of 256.23-mph figure set in 2007 by a Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero. The record run was took place on the 12.4-mile high-banked oval at Volkswagen‘s Ehra-Lessien test facility before representatives of both the German TUV (Technical Inspection Agency) and the Guinness Book of World Records.
Sleeker and better handling, too
While adding power was one key to the stellar performance of this new Super Sport variant, numerous other improvements to the standard Veyron 16.4 also make it quicker and more agile as well as more aerodynamic. Even lighter weight carbon-fiber bodywork helps cut curb weight by 110 pounds, while new air ducts on the fenders and roof plus a revamped rear double-plane diffuser allow it to slice through the air more cleanly. Finally, comprehensive suspension upgrades endow the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport with greater straight-line stability and help generate up to 1.4g of lateral force when cornering.
Production of the Super Sport will begin this autumn at Bugatti’s factory in Molsheim, France, alongside the current Veyron 16.4 and Grand Sport models. The first five cars — known as the World Record Edition set—will be finished in the special black exposed carbon and orange finish that adorns their illustrious predecessor. While those units have already been spoken for, it’s still possible to order one of the remaining 25 that will constitute the remainder of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport buildout. Although pricing has yet to be revealed, expect to see each of these ultra Veyron’s command in excess of $2 million.
