Tip-Tip-Top of the Line

November 15, 2006 5:07 AM

Tip-Tip-Top of the Line It's pretty sad when $255,000 and 3.7 seconds for 0 to 62 is the bottom of the heap. That's the Ferrari Fiorano, joined in its exclusive club by such beauties as the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 ($319K, 3.4 sec). The group is led by the amazing Bugatti Beyron, which clocks the 0 to 62 in an astonishing 2.5 seconds and hits 188 mph in only 17 seconds; the damage: only $1.4 million. Here are more pix and models, just in case you haven't drooled enough.
posted by PreacherTom (43 comments total)

Sorry to nitpick, it's Bugatti *Veyron*.

But all in all, these are some pretty effin' amazing pieces of equipment. The Veyron being the world's fastest, most expensive street legal production car. The engineering stories about it and the challenges overcome are simply amazing.

You can add to the list the newly announced Audi R8, which shares some components with the Lambo.
posted by tgrundke at 5:30 AM on November 15, 2006

Lame.

A top fuel dragster hits 0-100 in less than one second. If a race started between one and a Veryon, with the Veryon travelling at top speed when it hit the start line and the top fuel dragster at a standstill, the dragster would pass the Veryon within a quarter mile -- still accellerating.

The Bugatti's engine couldn't even drive the supercharger of the top fuel dragster.

If you're going for stupid fast, get a stupid fast car. Otherwise, quick fucking around and drive a Civic.
posted by eriko at 5:34 AM on November 15, 2006

Yes, Eriko, except that the dragster isn't going to be street legal. That, and you can't pull up to your date's house looking all swanky and shit in a dragster like you would in a Bugatti or a Ferrari.
posted by tgrundke at 5:36 AM on November 15, 2006

Not drooling at all. For that kind of money I could have something with wings. Something nice with wings.
posted by jfuller at 5:41 AM on November 15, 2006

And you won't exactly be able to fill the dragster up with unleaded either. And speedwise those Top Fuel dragsters are pussies compared to this baby.
posted by jontyjago at 5:42 AM on November 15, 2006

I believe it is called the Bugatti Veyron.
posted by parmanparman at 5:44 AM on November 15, 2006

Yes, tgrundke, except nobody's going to key the paint job on the dragster when it's sitting in the parking lot at the local mall. Nor will skate kids use it as a makeshift quarterpipe for their mad skills.
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:48 AM on November 15, 2006

The Ariel Atom is street-legal, does 0-60 in 2.91 seconds, 0-100 in 6.8, and beat everything around the Top Gear test track except a Ferrari Enzo... and retails for £35000.

Some people: more money > sense.
posted by Hogshead at 5:51 AM on November 15, 2006

Sitting in the parking lot at the local mall? What? You're actually going to drive it?
posted by jontyjago at 5:52 AM on November 15, 2006

One minor point eriko. Unlike the dragster, the Ferrari and the Lamborghini can actually turn corners.
posted by bap98189 at 5:59 AM on November 15, 2006

Well if it's wings you want...

And some of us (Americans, even) don't hold straight-line acceleration to be the end-all be-all of automotive performance. Plenty of Mustangs/Camaros/etc around that could show the Veyron their tail-lights. The trick is to get that power to the ground and still be able to corner and brake well (contrary goals at some point) -- that's complete performance. Then to wrap it all in decadent luxury rather than plexiglas and rollbars, well, that's why Ferraris, etc. cost so much!
posted by LordSludge at 6:04 AM on November 15, 2006

That's nothing, I've heard a Corolla can go from 0-60 miles in two gallons. Now that impresses me.
posted by Citizen Premier at 6:04 AM on November 15, 2006

Tango to accelerate through the standing 1/4 mile in 12 seconds at over 120 mph and travel from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.


Tango

Tango T600 Features ($108,000 with $10,000 deposit)

Tango T200 Features ($39,900 with $1,000 deposit)

Tango T100 Features ($18,700 with $500 deposit)
posted by rough ashlar at 6:07 AM on November 15, 2006

Nice engineering on the cars. My 'need' for speed is satisfied elsewhere - she carries seven passengers, weights 3 million pounds at the starting line and the trunk can hold about 58,000 pounds. I think it is doing 1000 mph in about seven seconds.

Priceless.
posted by fluffycreature at 6:14 AM on November 15, 2006

What? You're actually going to drive it?

Well, sure. There's serious collectors who can't be denied. For everyone else, there's bling.

Plenty of Mustangs/Camaros/etc around that could show the Veyron their tail-lights.

And, of course, the 2WD version of the F150 pickup can outpace a Porsche Boxter.
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:17 AM on November 15, 2006

Seconding Hogshead - the Ariel Atom is an awesome piece of engineering. See for yourself...
posted by blag at 6:26 AM on November 15, 2006

Business Week neglected to mention the 100% electric Tesla Roadster. $89k and 0-60 in 4 seconds. Discussion in the blue.
posted by gruchall at 7:08 AM on November 15, 2006

"the 2WD version of the F150 pickup"

Until the road stops being straight.
posted by 13twelve at 7:24 AM on November 15, 2006

OMG, rich people are spending disposable income on expensive things! Whatever shall we do?
posted by smackfu at 7:25 AM on November 15, 2006

The Ferrari 599 wins this competition on sheer beauty and elegance. As always.

The Veyron is cool, but looks like the Mach 5.
posted by Mister_A at 7:41 AM on November 15, 2006

Also my sky-blue '86 Buick Century goes 0-60 in less than a week, AND IT HAS HEAT.
posted by Mister_A at 7:43 AM on November 15, 2006

Not drooling. I'm still in love with my new car.
posted by mike3k at 7:52 AM on November 15, 2006

Wow, $1.4M buys an awful lot of ugly.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:52 AM on November 15, 2006

Meh. My old stock 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (<$10000) did 0-60 in 3 seconds flat.
posted by greasepig at 7:56 AM on November 15, 2006

jontyjago writes "What? You're actually going to drive it?"

If I could afford a Veyron I'd drive the smegging wheels off it.
posted by Mitheral at 8:32 AM on November 15, 2006

Apropos of this comment - the car chase from Bullitt.
posted by Pastabagel at 8:32 AM on November 15, 2006

parmanparman, read the first comment.
posted by banished at 9:07 AM on November 15, 2006

I'm pretty sure I'd do someone O.J.-style to get me one of those Ferrari 599s. I'd have to do their accomplice OJ-style to insure it. As it stands I'm waiting patiently for my new GTI...
posted by jimmythefish at 9:41 AM on November 15, 2006

There was a show on Nat Geo Channel the other night called something like "Future Factories" or some shit. It was an hour long program on the Ferrari factory in Italy. They showed the construction process from molten steel to final car of the Fiorano (I think..not 100% sure). The engine on this baby is assembled by hand. The seats are stitched by hand. Freakin unbelievable. Every single engine is put together from top to bottom by the same guy. It was amazing to watch. If I had the money I'd go Lambo, but Ferrari would be not too far behind.

And HELLS YEAH I'd drive it. ALL. THE. TIME. That is what being rich is for, fer chrissakes. (Not that I am)
posted by spicynuts at 9:47 AM on November 15, 2006

the Caterham CSR 260 holds the (unofficial) Top Gear lap record. the Radical SR8 holds the Nürburgring Nordschleife production car lap record (youtube). but i'd still rather have a Lotus Elise. pretty please?
posted by the painkiller at 9:47 AM on November 15, 2006

Spicynuts -

Yea that show was hawt, and that car is hawt. All I've ever wanted is a Ferrari (I'd even take the second cheapest one) and a solid-gold toilet. I am a simple man.
posted by Mister_A at 9:55 AM on November 15, 2006

While we're dreaming I'll also take the Ford GT-40 for my run to the corner store car.
posted by spicynuts at 10:16 AM on November 15, 2006

I've actually driven the Veyron, and it's one of the oddest and most intense experiences imaginable. Tooting around town the car handles pretty much like an Audi A4. But hit the gas and it feels as if the flesh is peeling from your frame. The acceleration is unreal, as if it were lifted from a video game or simulator. (Also, you immediately become bathed in flop sweat, due to the adrenaline rush.) All in all, very cool.

By the way, the sales rep explained that they had just sold two Veyrons to some rich dude in La Jolla. He was going to use one as his every day commuter, and garage one as an investment.
posted by william_boot at 10:22 AM on November 15, 2006 [1 favorite]

rough ashlar writes "Tango T100 Features ($18,700 with $500 deposit)"

I was all excited reading about the T100 until I saw that it isn't available till 2009 and that only if they get backing. The thing is perfect for when I don't need the hauling capacity of a 1 ton dually.
posted by Mitheral at 10:30 AM on November 15, 2006

My drool car would be the competition model of the Lancia Delta S4. Ugly as sin, and I'd never have the chops to properly drive it, but the whole idea of supercharger + turbocharger at the same time is just so over-the-top awesome.
posted by juv3nal at 11:12 AM on November 15, 2006

juv3nal -

450 hp in a 2600-lb rally rig - nice!
posted by Mister_A at 11:24 AM on November 15, 2006

Meh. A stock Kawasaki ZX-14 can do 0-60 in 2.5 seconds...for a LOT less money than the Bugatti (12K!). Quarter miles in the low 10's.
If you have a need for speed, buy a motorcycle!
posted by black8 at 11:25 AM on November 15, 2006

Veyron, 599GTB, LP640 show a troubling trend in the realm of supercars. They're getting fatter and trying to compensate with technology (meagnetic suspensions etc.) and power (all in excess of 600hp, the Veyron aprox 1000hp). The days of the nimble track monster supercar (F40, McLaren F1, 964 Dauer) are long gone...true shame to the auto enthusiast.
posted by stratastar at 1:30 PM on November 15, 2006

Mister_A writes "All I've ever wanted is [...] a solid-gold toilet."

As consolation I'd imagine that thing would freeze your ass right off the first time you used it considering the heat conduction capabilities of gold.

william_boot writes "But hit the gas and it feels as if the flesh is peeling from your frame. The acceleration is unreal, as if it were lifted from a video game or simulator. "

I've driven an all motor 700+hp car and the feeling is much the same. Though in that case power started coming on with about 1/16th throttle. A gentle touch was required. It was almost impossible to drive on poor condition roads because the bumping and jarring would induce throttle input.

black8 writes "If you have a need for speed, buy a motorcycle!"
A motorcycle is not a car, the sensation is different. 150 on a bike induces babbling fear not an adrenalin rush, at least in me.

Mister_A writes "450 hp in a 2600-lb rally rig - nice!"
Some of the WRC versions were rumoured to be pushing over 700.
posted by Mitheral at 1:39 PM on November 15, 2006

As consolation I'd imagine that thing would freeze your ass right off the first time you used it considering the heat conduction capabilities of gold.

If he can afford a solid gold toilet, he can afford an electric toilet seat heater.
posted by spazzm at 2:47 PM on November 15, 2006

If it's driving without posing you are after, it's hard to beat the Atom, or a GSX1300R Hayabusa for the price. Check it out.
posted by somnambulist at 3:18 PM on November 15, 2006

i am a car
posted by dminor at 8:01 PM on November 15, 2006

I wonder what you could get Jeremy Clarkson to do for a Bugatti Veyron?
posted by Grimgrin at 11:26 PM on November 15, 2006