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Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout... who wins?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Lexus, Luxury, MISC

Automobile Magazine scribe Jason Cammisa was sent into the desert to referee four carbon-fiber-bodied wild animals fighting it out over the quarter mile: the V8 McLaren MP4-12C, the V10 Lexus LFA, the V12 Lamborghini Aventador and the W16 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. It's a tough job, innit?

The Head 2 Head race was run elimination style, with the winner of each two-up challenge facing the next devil up the totem pole. Although you might not have any doubts about the eventual victor, how each of these supercars fared is good watching. See all the screaming for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout... who wins?

Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout... who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti orders two more years worth of transmissions... but where are they going?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Bugatti

The automotive industry tends to work by certain norms and patterns. For example, by the time one model is ready to be phased out, we usually have a pretty good idea of how its replacement is shaping up and when it will appear. But Bugatti, of course, is no typical automaker.

The House that Ettore Built has, for the past seven years, subsisted on the Veyron alone. Don't get us wrong, it's one heck of an automobile around which to build a brand, but it won't be around forever. In fact, Bugatti announced a while ago that Veyron production was running its course and nearing its end. The open topped Grand Sport, as it turns out, was outside that original allotment, but even that is nearing the end of its road.

So you can imagine our surprise when Ricardo, the company that makes the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the Veyron, announced today that it had extended its contract with Bugatti for another two years. Which would be straightforward enough if there were cars in which Bugatti would be installing said transmissions, but as we already established, the marque's sole product is nearing the end of its life-cycle, with no replacement in sight.

So where are these transmissions going? There can only be a few explanations. One is that Bugatti is planning to extend Veyron production with another derivative - likely the Super Grand Sport that is expected to combine the removable roof panel on the Grand Sport with the more powerful engine and bodywork of the Super Sport. Another is that the Galibier - a four-door super-sedan in the pipeline at Bugatti's Molsheim, France HQ - is closer than previously expected, but that model is expected to shift to a different type of transmission altogether.

One possibility we can't quite accept is that Bugatti is stockpiling components as substantial as a gearbox without having a model in which to install them, so watch this space for more news. In the meantime, scope out the press release after the jump to inspect for yourself.

Continue reading Bugatti orders two more years worth of transmissions... but where are they going?

Bugatti orders two more years worth of transmissions... but where are they going? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Bugatti Veyron sold... sort of

Zach Bowman — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Bugatti, Luxury

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a sad day, friends. The final Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has been sold to a customer in Europe, says the supercar manufacturer. Well, maybe not that sad. Technically, the W16, quad-turbocharged monster will continue to soldier on in open-top Grand Sport trim, but don't expect the Bug to churn out any more hardtop models. All 300 of them have officially been spoken for; leaving the world's stupidly wealthy with nowhere to spend their millions. Whatever shall they do?

As you may recall, the Veyron first touched down in 2003, and it's been busy shattering records and swilling high-test gasoline ever since. Eight years later, the creation remains one of the most awe-inspiring vehicles on the planet, and odds are it won't stop arching eyebrows and dropping jaws anytime soon. Something tells us that 987 horsepower will do that for you.

So what does Bugatti have planned for its next stunt? Aside from a few shadowy whispers about a possible production Galibier sedan, the automaker has been suspiciously tight-lipped about its endeavors. Hit the jump for the press blast.

Continue reading Final Bugatti Veyron sold... sort of

Final Bugatti Veyron sold... sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron's W16 engine being milled

Siddharth Raja — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., UAW/Unions

If you're the type who gets excited at the thought of viewing an engine block being machined out of a solid piece of metal, then get ready to indulge all your fantasies with a look at the Bugatti Veyron's mighty W16 being carved up by a computer-controlled milling machine. Inch by inch, the tiny spindle meticulously cuts away at the single block of metal until eventually the first few cylinders start to appear, and before long the lifeless lump of metal starts to resemble the familiar W-patterned heart of the Veyron supercar.

The machine in the video is a Matsuura MAM72-42V 5 axis CNC, a model that first appeared back in 1991 and has since sold over 500 copies to various companies. Inside is a small electric motor that spins the greased up spindle anywhere between 12,000 and 30,000 rpm. The machine is rated at only 15 hp, which is small change compared to the 1001 hp that the W16 block it's machining will have to endure. Now if we could only install one of these babies in the Autoblog Garage, we're sure hours of fun would ensue.

Video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron's W16 engine being milled

VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron's W16 engine being milled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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