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Bugatti Veyron

The Veyron Super Sport turned 431.072 km/h into a production-car record.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 38 sources

Also called

  • BugCar and Driver used this shorthand in its December 2008 issue.2

At a glance

06001,200
987–1,183 hpPower
0510
2.5–2.7 s0–100 km/h
0225450
407–431.072 km/hTop speed
08001,600
1,250–1,500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,838–1,990 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.15712

Engine
8.0 L quad-turbo W16; base 16.4 uses 10 radiators110
Layout
Mid-engine, permanent all-wheel drive111
Gearbox
7-speed Ricardo dual-clutch automatic; 150 ms shifts111
Built at
Atelier, Molsheim, France14
Units built
450 total: 300 coupes and 150 roadsters (2005–2015)15

The story

1997: An 18-cylinder idea on a train19971999: Kabaň's Veyron takes shape in Tokyo19992003: Schreiber tackles the road-car brief20032005: Molsheim starts the 400 km/h era20052007: Pur Sang sells out in 45 minutes20072008: A 10.1-second quarter-mile for the coupe20082010: 431.072 km/h over two directions20102013: 408.84 km/h with the roof open20132015: La Finale closes the 450-car run2015 Bugatti EB 110 GT and Super Sport (EB 110): 1991–1995EB 110Bugatti EB 118 concept (EB 118): 1998 debutEB 118Bugatti EB 218 concept (EB 218): 1999 debutEB 218Bugatti 18/3 Chiron concept (18/3): 1999Bugatti EB 18/4 Veyron concept (EB 18/4): 1999 debutEB 18/4Bugatti EB 16/4 Veyron concept (EB 16/4): 2000 debutEB 16/4Bugatti Veyron (EB 16.4): 2005–2015EB 16.4Bugatti Chiron: From 2016Bugatti Chiron 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones13131923
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1991–1995Bugatti EB 110 GT and Super Sport (EB 110)
1998 debutBugatti EB 118 concept (EB 118)
1999 debutBugatti EB 218 concept (EB 218)
1999Bugatti 18/3 Chiron concept (18/3)
1999 debutBugatti EB 18/4 Veyron concept (EB 18/4)
2000 debutBugatti EB 16/4 Veyron concept (EB 16/4)
2005–2015Bugatti Veyron (EB 16.4)
From 2016Bugatti Chiron
1997An 18-cylinder idea on a train
1999Kabaň's Veyron takes shape in Tokyo
2003Schreiber tackles the road-car brief
2005Molsheim starts the 400 km/h era
2007Pur Sang sells out in 45 minutes
2008A 10.1-second quarter-mile for the coupe
2010431.072 km/h over two directions
2013408.84 km/h with the roof open
2015La Finale closes the 450-car run
  1. 1997

    An 18-cylinder idea on a train

    Ferdinand K. Piëch sketches an 18-cylinder engine on an envelope aboard the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nagoya.3

  2. 1999

    Kabaň's Veyron takes shape in Tokyo

    The EB 18/4 Veyron concept establishes the production car's basic shape, with Jozef Kabaň working alongside Hartmut Warkuß.3

  3. 2003

    Schreiber tackles the road-car brief

    Thomas Bscher takes charge; technical director Wolfgang Schreiber is tasked with getting the Veyron onto the road.4

  4. 2005

    Molsheim starts the 400 km/h era

    The Atelier starts production in September. A speed key unlocks over 400 km/h; three ride-height modes and a rear airbrake manage the aerodynamics.4

  5. 2007

    Pur Sang sells out in 45 minutes

    Design director Achim Anscheidt turns the Veyron's carbon-and-aluminum structure into its finish: no paint. All five Pur Sang cars sell out at Frankfurt.5

  6. 2008

    A 10.1-second quarter-mile for the coupe

    The Veyron 16.4 records 0–60 mph in 2.5 s, stops from 112.7 km/h in 48.2 m and pulls 1.00 g on the skidpad.2

  7. 2010

    431.072 km/h over two directions

    Pierre Henri Raphanel runs the Super Sport both ways to set the production-car record. Five black-and-orange World Record Editions mark the achievement.156

  8. 2013

    408.84 km/h with the roof open

    Anthony Liu sets the Vitesse's open-top record. Guinness also upholds the Super Sport's title after deciding that disabling its limiter is allowed.178

  9. 2015

    La Finale closes the 450-car run

    The Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale premieres in Geneva as Veyron number 450. Red exposed carbon appears for the first time.9

Every generation

  • Bugatti EB 110 GT and Super Sport
    EB 1101991–1995
  • Bugatti EB 118 concept
    EB 1181998 debut
  • Bugatti EB 218 concept
    EB 2181999 debut
  • Bugatti 18/3 Chiron concept
    18/31999
  • Bugatti EB 18/4 Veyron concept
    EB 18/41999 debut
  • Bugatti EB 16/4 Veyron concept
    EB 16/42000 debut
  • Bugatti Veyron
    EB 16.42005–2015
  • Bugatti Chiron
    Bugatti ChironFrom 2016

Power over the years

From 987 hp to 1,183 hp in 5 years.

05001,0001,500 20042006200820102012 hp 2005 · 987 hp · Veyron 16.4 coupe2009 · 987 hp · Grand Sport roadster2010 · 1,183 hp · Super Sport coupe2012 · 1,183 hp · Grand Sport Vitesse roadster 1,183 hp Super Sport coupe 987 hp Veyron 16.4 coupe
1
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2005987Veyron 16.4 coupe
2009987Grand Sport roadster
20101,183Super Sport coupe
20121,183Grand Sport Vitesse roadster

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    16.4

    2005–2011

    987 hp

    252 built

  • 16.4 Grand Sport

    Standard

    16.4 Grand Sport

    2009–2015

    987 hp

    58 built

  • 16.4 Super Sport

    Performance

    16.4 Super Sport

    2010–2011

    1,183 hp

    48 built

  • 16.4 Pur Sang

    Limited

    16.4 Pur Sang

    2007

    5 built

  • 16.4 Fbg par Hermès

    Limited

    16.4 Fbg par Hermès

    2008

    4 built

  • Les Légendes de Bugatti

    Limited

    Les Légendes de Bugatti

    2013–2014

    1,183 hp
  • 16.4 Bleu Centenaire / Villa d’Este

    Limited

    16.4 Bleu Centenaire / Villa d’Este

    2009

  • Special

    Grand Sport Soleil de Nuit

    2009

  • Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale

    Special

    Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale

    2015

    1,183 hp

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Horseshoe grille, inset headlights and a tapering hood.19
  • A rounded, almost egg-shaped silhouette.20
  • On the original coupe, an exposed engine sits between two aluminum intake snorkels.21
  • Two-tone bodywork is a recurring theme, including carbon and polished-metal finishes.5911
  • The rear wing can sit flush or rise steeply as an airbrake.14

Year by year

  1. 2009

    LED lights and parking sensors become standard, together with a rearview camera.22

  2. 2009

    Grand Sport introduces a transparent removable roof and beefier intake scoops behind the cockpit.112

  3. 2010

    Super Sport gains a covered engine, flush NACA roof ducts, larger front intakes and a double rear diffuser.1620

  4. 2012

    Grand Sport Vitesse adds a dedicated roof spoiler and windbreak to control airflow with the roof off.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Bugatti EB 110

    Look for the EB 110's scissor doors and tiny horseshoe grille; the Veyron has no scissor doors.2324

Against its rivals

  • Ferrari F430

    Veyron vs Ferrari F430

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Veyron2.5 s
    Ferrari F4304 s
    13
  • Nissan GT-R

    Veyron vs Nissan GT-R

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Veyron10.5 s
    Nissan GT-R12.1 s
    25

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$2M$4M$6M 2010201520202025 2011 · $2,426,904 · US base, Super Sport (FX/tax/fees) 2020 · $1,750,000 · 2014 Vitesse Meo Costantini, under 400 miles, Quail Motorcar Auction2023 · $1,600,000 · 2008 16.4, 928 miles, RM Sotheby's Las Vegas2023 · $1,490,000 · 2006 16.4, RM Sotheby's New York2024 · $3,085,000 · 2010 Grand Sport Sang Bleu, 2,793 miles, Miami2025 · $1,350,000 · 2006 16.4, 20k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $2,122,500 · 2006 16.4, 3,139 miles, Miami2026 · $5,400,000 · 2014 Vitesse Wimille, 3,766 km; approx. USD, RM Sotheby's Zurich2026 · $2,232,500 · 2008 16.4, 8,641 miles, The Monterey Auction $5.4M RM Sotheby's Zurich, 2026
182030333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$2,426,904US base, Super Sport (FX/tax/fees)
2020Auction sale$1,750,0002014 Vitesse Meo Costantini, under 400 miles, Quail Motorcar Auction
2023Auction sale$1,600,0002008 16.4, 928 miles, RM Sotheby's Las Vegas
2023Auction sale$1,490,0002006 16.4, RM Sotheby's New York
2024Auction sale$3,085,0002010 Grand Sport Sang Bleu, 2,793 miles, Miami
2025Auction sale$1,350,0002006 16.4, 20k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$2,122,5002006 16.4, 3,139 miles, Miami
2026Auction sale$5,400,0002014 Vitesse Wimille, 3,766 km; approx. USD, RM Sotheby's Zurich
2026Auction sale$2,232,5002008 16.4, 8,641 miles, The Monterey Auction

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “431.072 km/h, averaged in both directions”
    • “The record survived the limiter review”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Bugatti Veyron - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Tested: 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 caranddriver.com
  3. 15 years of Bugatti Veyron – how it all began – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  4. The Bugatti Veyron on the track of the Targa Florio – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  5. 15 years of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 – Six Personal Favorites – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  6. Landspeed worldrecord with the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  7. 408.84 km/h: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse sets world speed record for open-top production sports cars – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  8. GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS teilt mit: Schnellstes Serienfahrzeug | Guinness World Records guinnessworldrecords.de
  9. Geneva International Motor Show 2015: Bugatti celebrates the Veyron – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  10. 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | New York | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  11. Bugatti 16.4 Veyron Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  12. Bugatti 16.4 Veyron Grand Sport Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  13. Bugatti Veyron: History, Buying Tips, Photos, and More motortrend.com
  14. The “Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès” – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  15. RM Sotheby’s Zurich Sale Grosses CHF16.3 Million As Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse 'Jean-Pierre Wimille' Breaks World Auction Record | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  16. A meeting of legends in California: Bugatti presents all six models from its ”Les Légendes de Bugatti“ edition – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  17. Pebble Beach: Bugatti celebrates the world première of the final Legend “Ettore Bugatti” – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  18. Bonhams Cars : 2014 Bugatti VEYRON 16.4 GRAND SPORT VITESSE 'MEO COSTANTINI' carsd.bonhams.com
  19. Bugatti 18/3 Chiron - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Drive: More Power and a Lot More Money caranddriver.com
  21. The Fastest! 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Test motortrend.com
  22. Hundred years of Bugatti at the Geneva Autoshow – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  23. Bugatti EB 110 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. First Drive: 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport caranddriver.com
  25. Nissan GT-R v Bugatti Veyron | evo evo.co.uk
  26. Bugatti at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1) – Three drivers for two wins 24h-lemans.com
  27. Corvette C7, Bugatti Veyron to star in Transformers 4 paultan.org
  28. Gran Turismo PSP Pre-Order Bonus Items Revealed – PlayStation.Blog blog.playstation.com
  29. The realization of an intractable dream: the engineering genius behind the Bugatti Veyron – Bugatti Newsroom newsroom.bugatti.com
  30. 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | Miami 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  31. Buyer's Guide to the Bugatti Veyron - Sports Car Market sportscarmarket.com
  32. Bugatti recalls Veyron to rectify three separate issues - paultan.org paultan.org
  33. Bugatti Veyron Price in 2026: MSRP, Trims & Real-World Cost fiyatlist.com
  34. 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse 'Jean-Pierre Wimille' | The Zurich Auction | RM Sotheby's backoffice.rmsothebys.com
  35. 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | The Monterey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  36. 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $1,350,000 on December 31, 2025 (Lot #225,571) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport 'Sang Bleu' | Miami 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  38. 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | Las Vegas | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • newsroom.bugatti.com
  • guinnessworldrecords.de
  • rmsothebys.com
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • motortrend.com
  • carsd.bonhams.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • 24h-lemans.com
  • paultan.org
  • blog.playstation.com
  • sportscarmarket.com
  • fiyatlist.com

Photo credits

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