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Jean Bugatti Is Honored With the New “Legend” Edition Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse!

Bugatti has come out with the second “Legend” Edition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, this time honoring the oldest son of Ettore Bugatti, the man who formed Bugatti.  The second Legend Edition Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse was unveiled on the eve of the car’s debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.  The first in the series of six was revealed at the 2013 Concours d’Elegance.

All of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Legend Editions will be produced in a run of 3 identical cars.  The latest car is the “Jean Bugatti Legend Edition,” which honors Jean Bugatti.  Which, as it’s name suggests, honors Ettore Bugatti’s oldest son, Jean Bugatti, who created the Type 57SC Atlantic.  Only four examples of the Type 57SC Atlantic were built between 1936 and 1938.  One is owned by Ralph Lauren, and the other was bought by a mystery owner in 2010.

Jean Bugatti was the eldest son of Ettore Bugatti, and took over the company at the young age of 27.  Unfortunately, he died in a tragic accident while testing the Le Mans-winning 57G Tank.  But, the car that he is most known for the Type 57SC Atlantic.  Of course, the Bugatti Veyron Legend Edition “Jean Bugatti” takes it’s inspiration from the Type 57SC Atlantic.  But, it’s not based off of just any ole’ 57SC Atlantic – it is based off of the La Voiture Noire 57SC Atlantic that served as Jean’s personal car until the time of his death.  It is now lost to history.

What makes the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Legend Edition so special is that the grille and the logos are made from real platinum, the exterior is flat black with clear-coated carbon fiber, black chrome wheels, and Jean Bugatti’s signature on just about everything (fuel filler, oil caps, seats, and even the floor mats!).  Inside the car, the already sumptuous interior has leather matching the beige and brown tones that the 57SC Atlantic La Voiture Noire had adorn many surfaces.  Also, the side silhouette of the Type 57SC Atlantic is hand-embroidered on the inward side of both doors.

No mechanical changes have been made, so the car is still capable of hitting 254 mph (though top speed is limited to “just” 233 mph in this special edition), and it will still hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds – just a tad bit faster than a Nissan GT-R!

Prices start at 2.28 million Euros (about $3 million USD).  I advise you to start saving.

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The First “Legend” Edition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Debuted At the Concours d’Elegance!

While showing off their multitude of Veyron’s at the 2013 Concours d’Elegannce, Bugatti unveiled a Legend Edition Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.  It is the first of six, for the six men who changed Bugatti’s history throughout the years.  The series is called Les Legendes de Bugatti (Bugatti Legends), and the first one debuted at the 2013 Concours d’Elegance.  Each Legend Edition Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse will be built in a run of three units.

The first Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Legend is the Jean-Pierre Wimille, honoring the legendary French racing driver from the 1930’s who helped Bugatti achieve their two 24 Hours of Le Mans wins in:  1937, in a Bugatti 57G Tank, co-piloted by Robert Benoist, and 1939, in a Bugatti 57C Tank, co-piloted by Pierre Veyron.

The car was unveiled next to the original 57G Tank at the Concours d’Elegance.  Designers of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Legend drew their inspiration from.  The inspiration can be seen in the bodywork and interior of the car.

The exterior is made completely out of carbon fiber, and pays tribute to the 57G Tank with it’s color scheme:  Light Blue contrasting nicely with royal blue.  The blue color scheme was common in French race cars of the time, and is starting to see a resurgence in French rally cars.  The blue/blue theme is continued on the inside (like most Veyron special editions.  The headliner, footwells, and seat inserts are all blue leather.  The blue is called Blue Wimille, while the darker shade of blue is called Lake Blue.  Lake Blue is used for the seat bolsters, dash panel, center console, and doors.  In a special homage to Wimille, the designers used a decorative stitching patter that uses the French national colors (red, white, blue).

No mechanical changes have been made to the car, so it is still capable of making 1,184 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque from it’s 8.0-liter W16 engine.  And, yes, it still can go 254 mph.  With the top down.

In comparison, the 57G Tank is powered by a 3.3-liter straight-eight engine delivering somewhere around 200 horsepower.  Because of it’s specially designed body, it could reach top speed much faster than any competitors.  Enjoy the spectacular pictures.

Jean-Pierre Wimille is on the right, Pierre Veyron is on the left, and Jean Bugatti is in the middle.  The car they are leaning against is the 57G Tank.