First look: Bugatti lifts lid on open-top Veyron

BUGATTI will premiere an open-top version of its Veyron 16.4 supercar at the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance on August 16, the long-anticipated second model variant of the world’s fastest production car.

To enter production early next year, the Veyron roadster’s unveiling comes almost 12 months after the ultra-exclusive $2 million-plus Pur Sang edition of the hard-top was unveiled in Frankfurt – a show that had been expected to host this “Grand Sport” targa but instead heralded a mid-life facelift for the coveted coupe.

As with the coupe, the all-wheel drive two-seater super-cabrio carries stunning aesthetics and a mid-mounted 736kW/1250Nm 8.0-litre W16 quad-turbo engine.

According to Bugatti, the roadster will have a “large number” of new features – all of which are still to be revealed – as well as “innovative structural solutions” that will ensure it offers the same levels of performance and safety as the coupe.

That means the Grand Sport, which has a targa top rather than a full convertible set-up, should emulate the coupe in accelerating from 0-100km/h in a phenomenal 2.5 seconds, and requiring just 7.3 seconds to reach 200km/h. Top speed is still to be determined, but will undoubtedly be close to the coupe’s world-beating 407km/h.

“The open-top Grand Sport allows driver and passenger to feel even closer to the car’s breathtaking power,” said Bugatti in a statement. “Those who consider the wind in their hair and the roar of a thoroughbred racing engine in their ears to be essential to true driving enjoyment will find their perfect motor car in this new Bugatti.

“Even with the top on, the Grand Sport does not loose any of its fascination and conveys to the passenger a new exciting panoramic view.”

The day after the Grand Sport is shown in the metal for the first time, the first build slot will be auctioned at Pebble Beach.

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