Bentley Continental Supersports sets world speed record on ice

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible breaks the world speed record on ice. And we never even knew there was a world speed record on ice.

The Continental Supersports convertible with all-wheel-drive, 6-liter, 12-cylinder Bentley was Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen. The world's fastest all-wheel-drive soft-top convertible allowed Kankkunen to shatter his own 2007 world ice speed record of 321.6kph (199.83mph), which he set in a Continental GT at the same location.

Last time in 2007, he missed the 200 mph mark, and achieved a speed record of 199.83 mph in the Continental GT at the same location.

A limited edition of this most extreme Bentley will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Production will be limited to just 100 examples!





Press Release

BENTLEY SUPERSPORTS SHATTERS WORLD SPEED RECORD ON SHEET ICE

Rally champion, Juha Kankkunen achieves 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) in extreme Bentley convertible

(Oulu, Finland. 15 February 2011) Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible on the hazardous frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, at a breathtaking 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) to set a new world speed record on ice.

Kankkunen was in irresistible form with his all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible which, in line with the Company's CO2 strategy, ran on biofuel. The world's fastest soft top enabled Juha to shatter his own 2007 world ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in the Continental GT at the same location.

With the help of his own experienced team and Bentley engineers, Kankkunen overcame the challenges of temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5km track on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice. The record attempt was driven on a 1000m long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the Finland Traffic Police. His new world record was based on the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured speeds ratified by a representative of The Guinness Book of Records.

"The last time, I narrowly missed the magical 200 mph mark in a Continental GT. When I heard about the Supersports I was determined to go record breaking again with the Bentley Boys. This time, with over 600bhp under the bonnet, a Quickshift transmission and the security of the all-wheel drive system, the Supersports convertible was the perfect car to go for the record. " Kankkunen said.

"200mph came up after 5km on sheet ice. Then it was just a question of getting everything right in the timing zone and hoping the snow kept away. There's nothing to beat driving a Bentley at these speeds; the conditions may be perilous but the car responds so well to the slightest adjustment which gives you the confidence to push even harder."

As with the previous record-breaking drive in the Continental GT the Anglo-Finnish team used a car with minimum modification. A fully-welded, heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli winter tyres (Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20) and a rear bumper-mounted parachute provided reassurance in case of an emergency. Front and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability on the treacherous surface.

To highlight Bentley's environmental commitment to sustainable fuel sources, Kankkunen's Supersports Convertible was fuelled with E85 bioethanol rather than petrol (gasoline). All models in the Continental range are capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley's new Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

"The ice speed record is an amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special ‘extreme' Bentley, which will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem."

A limited edition of just 100 examples of this most extreme Bentley will be made and the car will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1st March.

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Debuts, Will Hit 10mph Less Top Speed than Record

Bugatti showed their stuff to the public at the Concours d'Elegance, when they brought out the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.  The new world's fastest car was seen wearing blue colored carbon fiber body panels during the weekend event when it also served as the pace car for the Bugatti Rally at the Laguna Seca Raceway.

In the presence of the German TUV and officials from Guinness World Records, the Bugatti Super Sport was tested on the VW circuit in Ehra-Lessien, where it managed an average speed of 431 km/h. At first attempt, the Bugatti has reached a top speed of 427.933 km/h and on the way back recorded a speed of 434.211 km/h. TUV and Guinness World Records have calculated an average speed of 431.072 km/h (268 mph).

Bugatti says the consumer vehicle will have identical specs, but the limitation was necessary to protect the car's tires.  Its engine is tuned to deliver 1,200 hp (882 kW), a 20 percent gain over the already massive Veyron 16.4, and up to 1,500 Nm (1106 lb-ft) of torque.  The extra power comes from bigger turbochargers and intercoolers, which meant the chassis needed to be adjusted to cope with the added power and speed.

Besides the larger air intakes at the front the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport has received a series of redesigned components at the rear end, which are both meant to improve aerodynamics and distinguish it from the previous version.




Press Release

Bugatti Presents Veyron 16.4 Super Sport to Public

World record car to be pace car at Monterey Historic Races

Further versions to be seen at The Quail and the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach Molsheim/Monterey, August 13, 2010 - On the 3rd of July, the new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record with 431, 072 km/h (268 mph) on Volkswagen Group's proving ground at Ehra-Lessien, close to the Wolfsburg headquarters. Bugatti presents this new car for the first time to the public at the three events The Quail, Monterey Historic Races
at Laguna Seca, and on the Concept Lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. On Saturday, Bugatti's Pilote Officiel will drive in the world record car as a pace car for the historic Bugatti Rally at Laguna Seca.

The climax of the Veyron series: the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

In the past, had a model been especially popular or highly successful in races, Ettore Bugatti's customers often pushed the master to tease out a few more horsepower for their future car. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. was in a similar situation when their existing customers asked the company, not only to design their "next model" optically different but also to create a sportier version with a more extreme driving experience. The result is an extremely powerful car with 1,200-hp (882 kW) and a maximum torque of 1,500 Newton meters, offering experienced drivers a whole new dimension of excitement. Top speed is limited to 415 km/h, to protect the tyres, but the specifications of the Super Sport will be identical to the world record car. The first five Super Sports to come off the production line will constitute a special series, with the same configuration as the land speed record car.

The Super Sport is a result of the continuous development of the classic 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, launched in 2005. This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the precise driving performance and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.

Constant development over the past 10 years has lead to advances, which have enabled the engineers at Bugatti S.A.S. to develop the Veyron to reach new dimensions. Every modification is designed to produce greater performance and a more agile ride. Larger turbochargers and bigger intercoolers have been used to increase the power of the eight litre, 16-cylinder engine. The chassis has been extensively tweaked to remain safe, in order to cope with the additional power and increased speed. Revisions include a slightly raised main-spring travel, stronger stabilisers, and new shock absorbers with a complex architecture similar to which used in racing. This gives the car a more precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole. With lateral acceleration results of up to 1.4 g and improved interaction between the tyres and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration.

The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety - at a reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in full body clear-lacquered exposed carbon on request.

Dynamic exterior

Every detail of this car, and not just its use of advanced motorsport technology, stems back to the pioneering spirit of company founder Ettore Bugatti. This brilliant designer came from a family of artists, and his philosophy was always to combine mechanical perfection and exterior beauty. This ethos remains alive and well at the company today, where every modification to the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport serves to coax greater performance from the car.

The Super Sport's flat, elongated silhouette distinguishes itself from the standard car. Rather than scoops above the engine, the 16-cylinder engine is now fed air from two NACA ducts integrated into the roof. The front air intakes have been expanded and reshaped, with the lower one extending elegantly around the sides to the wheel arch. The revised rear end looks sportier due to the double diffuser and a centrally arranged exhaust system.

Bugatti has a tradition of making super sport versions of successful models, usually with racing chassis and supercharged engines. These cars were considered as true racing machines for diehard Bugatti devotees. The most successful versions was the type 55 and type 57S; with around forty of each built.

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has now sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered. The Super Sport will begin production this autumn at Molsheim along with the Veyron and the Grand Sport. The first five cars - known as the World Record Edition - are in a special black exposed carbon and orange finish, and have already been sold.

Bugatti has unveiled the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport [Video]

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record for production cars. the Veyron Super Sport set an average top speed rating of 431,072 km/h (268 mph). Piloted by Bugatti test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel, with German inspection officials (TÜV) keeping watch, the car topped out once at 428 km/h and second time at 434 km/h. A representative of the Guinness Book of Records was on hand to witness the new world record.

With output bumped up from 1,001 horsepower to 1,200 horsepower, torque swelling to 1,106 pound-feet and a revised aerodynamic kit, Raphanel managed runs of 265.9 and 269.8 mph for an average terminal velocity of 267.81 mph and a new world record for a production car.

The Veyron 16.4 Super Sport comes with four enlarged turbochargers and bigger intercoolers that have been used to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine to a total of 1200 HP, the chassis

Out go the large overhead air scoops, replaced by deep air ducts. The front air intakes are wider, the rear diffuser is larger and the double exhausts are now big enough for large animals to hibernate in. And get this: Bugatti has played with the engine to develop even more power.
The headline figures: 1183bhp, 1106lb ft, 268mph

The new Super Sport, which Bugatti plans to produce in a limited run of no more than 30 units, is set to be the last hurrah for the Veyron 16.4, taking overall production of the flamboyant, quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter 16-cylinder supercar to 300 units since its introduction in 2005.




Press Release

Land speed world record with the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport takes production sports cars to a whole new dimension

Wolfsburg/Molsheim, July 4, 2010 - on a beautiful sunny day at 25 degrees the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record for production cars, on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 431 km/h.

Saturday, 2 pm - Bugatti's Pilote Officiel Pierre Henri Raphanel puts his helmet and gloves on, pulls the safety belts tight whilst the engineers check the car a very last time: tyre pressure, temperature, all systems go. Then the orange black Super Sport crosses the light barrier, from now on the time will be taken, within one hour the car has to drive from South to North and then in the opposite direction. No one but the driver is allowed to touch the car during this time. The tension rises. A few minutes later we can hear from the left side the sound of a starting jumbo jet coming closer towards us. First we perceive the headlights of the Veyron, then we can recognize the shape of the car, a loud wooosh.... and Raphanel dashes in top speed past us. The GPS-tachometer stops at 427, 933 km/h. Now the same procedure from the opposite direction. This time the car reaches 434, 211 km/h. As average top speed the representatives of the "TÜV"and Guinness generate a value of 431, 072 km/h (268 mph). This even hit Bugatti's engineering team by surprise.

"We took it that we would reach an average value of 425 km/h," explains Bugatti's chief engineer Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, "but the conditions today were perfect and allowed even more."

The climax of the Veyron series: the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

Had a model been especially popular or highly successful in races, Ettore Bugatti's customers often pushed the master to tease out of the engine a few horsepower more for their future car. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. had been in a similar situation when their existing customers asked the companyto not only design their second model optically differently but to also create a version with a sportierand more extreme driving experience. The result is a car with a uniquely high performance of1,200-hp (882 kW) offering experienced drivers a whole new dimension of excitement, with a maximum torque of 1,500 Newton metres and a limited top speed of 415 km/h (to protect them tyres) but, the technique of the Super Sport is identical to the record car. The first five Super Sports to come off the production line will constitute a special series of their own, with the same configuration as the landspeed record car.

The Super Sport is a consequent of the further development of the classic exclusive 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, launched in 2005. This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the extraordinarily precise driving performance in bends and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.

Continuous work in extreme performance ranges lead to constantly new conclusions, which enabled the engineers at Bugatti to develop the Veyron into a direction in which the driver can reach new dimensions. Every modification is designed to produce an even more powerful car for an agile ride. Four enlarged turbochargers and bigger intercoolers have been used to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine, and the chassis has been extensively redesigned to maintain safety at extreme speed - thanks to slightly raised main-spring travel, stronger stabilisers, and new shock absorbers with a complex architecture originally developed for racing cars. This gives noticeably more precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole. With lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and improved interaction between the tyres and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration of 1,500 Newton metres on corner exits.

The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety - at reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clear-lacquered exposed carbon on request.

Dynamic exterior

Every detail of this car, and not just its use of advanced motorsport technology, harks back to the pioneering spirit of company founder Ettore Bugatti. This brilliant designer came from a family of artists, and his philosophy was always to combine mechanical perfection and exterior beauty. This ethos remains alive and well at the company, and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is wholly unmistakeable, with every external modification serving to coax greater performance from the car.

The Super Sport's flat, elongated silhouette is immediately recognisable. The 16-cylinder engine gets its air from two NACA ducts integrated into the roof, rather than from scoops above the engine. The front air intakes have been expanded and reshaped, with the lower one extending elegantly around the sides to the wheel arch. The revised back looks sportier due to the double diffuser and a centrally arranged exhaust system.

Bugatti has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models, usually with racing chassis and supercharged engines. These cars were considered as true racing machines for diehard Bugatti devotees. The most successful were the type 55 and type 57S; only around forty of each were built.

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports by now, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered. The Super Sport will begin production this autumn at Molsheim along with the Veyron and the Grand Sport. The first five cars - known as the World Record Edition – are in a special black exposed carbon and orange finish and have already been sold.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport will appear for the first time in public in California at the Pebble Beach Concours weekend in mid-August and will be featured at The Quail, Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca and on the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.