Geneva 2009: Bleu Centenaire is every bit as special as any other Bugatti Veyron
by Chris Paukert on Mar 3rd 2009 at 8:45AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bugatti Veyron Blue Centenaire
Given the level of bespoke specification that is part-and-parcel with the Bugatti Veyron ordering experience, we doubt there have ever been two identical cars built. As such, each example is something of a one-off, and by this rationale, the Bleu Centenaire is, paradoxically, just another Veyron.
Pre-show rumors of a massive power infusion and a stratospheric 270 mile-per-hour vMax have proven to be utterly unfounded, as the BC's drivetrain is standard Veyron fare. The changes, then, essentially amount to cosmetic paint-and-trim, but to be fair, the Blue Centenaire does look quite fetching in its mix of matte and glossy blue paint.
Sadly, however, any reclaiming of the top speed title from Shelby SuperCars will evidently have to wait.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex Nunez 9:02AM (3/03/2009)
Bleugatti!
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Sea Urchin 9:08AM (3/03/2009)
Bleucheese
FallenCow 9:59AM (3/03/2009)
wow...that is actually a stunning paint job. Might actually make the Veyron beautiful... well close as it'll ever be.
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Sea Urchin 10:09AM (3/03/2009)
I disagree, i think high gloss, shiny. reflective is a way to go for such a car. Make it look more expensive.
speedball3 11:49AM (3/03/2009)
I totally agree with FallenCow. A "normal" Veyron is typically ugly, but with a sweet matte blue paint job, it can begin to look better. It helps that it is basically one color throughout and they removed that hideous chrome around the front snout area. *shudders*
Sea Urchin 11:57AM (3/03/2009)
Speed at NYC Autoshow i saw a matte black Lexus, it was something different and fresh and i see why some would like it. But it wasn't my cup of tea.
Kattleox 10:05AM (3/03/2009)
I don't see how SSC and Koenigsegg can get V8s to go so fast, while Bugatti"only" gets about the same HP with twice the displacement. If my Miata was in a race with a 4 liter V8, I would expect to lose, but apparently, such is not the case in the world of super cars.
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Quattroporte 10:26AM (3/03/2009)
I'm reminded of the episode of TopGear where James May takes the Veyron up to 253mph. When he discussed it with Clarkson in the studio after the feature, James said the experience was very relaxing. Clarkson mentioned when taking a car like the Koenigsegg up to its top speed it feels like it's going rip itself apart.
Gomi 10:49AM (3/03/2009)
Watching the Stig rip it through their track was also pretty cool. The car is a freakin tank.
Eddie 10:51AM (3/03/2009)
I think it has to do with weight. The Veyron is quite heavy, whereas the CCX, SSC Aero are much lighter.
Mwmorph 10:58AM (3/03/2009)
the Bugatti and Koenigsegg are completely different cars, the engineering going into both were from 2 opposite trains of thought, the only thing shared is about the same top speed, it's like comparing a Porsche 911 GT3 to a Mercedes E550 4matic sedan.
The Bugatti is completely over engineered with overkill for a more comfortable experience, the Koenigsegg looks to see how far it can be pushed as a visceral experience.
Put camo on both cars and drive them back to back, they're nowhere close to comparable and outside of collectors, attract none of the same audience.
Also, try to remember cylinder count DOES NOT equal displacement. The Bugatti is a Quad turbo 8L W16 that runs on premium 91 octane, the Koenigsegg is a Twin supercharged 4.7L V8 that only runs on E85 (~100-105 octane) And the SSC Ultimate Aero uses a twin turbo 6.357L V8 on 91 premium.
Eddie 11:14AM (3/03/2009)
Re: Mwmorph
The CCX can run on Gasoline as well. It's "flexfuel", it can run on gas or e85.
Chet 10:59AM (3/03/2009)
Seeing yet another variant Bugatti on a turntable does nothing for me. Satin-finish paint? Yawn.
Seeing one tear around the Top Gear track, that's captivating. Even if it's not the fastest ever, nothing sounds or moves quite like it. The Bugatti owns the road like no other.
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Craig 11:42AM (3/03/2009)
These "special edition" Bugattis make no sense to me at all.
You can already order this car in any color combo you may want so for my
$2 000 000 I think I'd come up with something original.
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AndyW35 12:44PM (3/03/2009)
Agree with Craig, they are just milking it.
If they did a club sport version for instance than fair enough, but these re all cosmetic jobs.
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BigWill 12:50PM (3/03/2009)
IMHO the Veyron Pur Sang trumps this. It also has a much cooler name.
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Level 12:50PM (3/03/2009)
is this one bound for Dubai as well?
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wgreg m. 1:29PM (3/03/2009)
may i be the first to propose a 2 year moratorium on the word "bespoke"? seriously.
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ken_aisin 1:49PM (3/03/2009)
Love it. Want it.
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NissanSpecV 2:38PM (3/03/2009)
Blue > every other color.
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