The 300-unit Bugatti Veyron production is going to end very soon as approximately 50 cars are still waiting for a buyer to take them home, according to Bugatti's spokesman. This means that 250 models were already distributed to the whole word, despite the fact that recent speculations show that production of this popular model may be stopped sooner than we expect. For instance, GlobalMotors said that a special edition blue Veyron had chassis number 297, which means that approximately 3 models are still available in the whole series.
However, there's still one major question related to this sad news. As you probably know, Bugatti also rolled out several different Veyrons, including Sang Noir, Grand Sports and Pur Sang. Well, nobody knows for sure if all these models are included in the 300-unit limited production. In case they are, production may end very soon and the 297th chassis may be real.
What's interesting is that Bugatti will also produce 150 Grand Sports starting March this year so the whole equation is far more complex than we first thought.
Bugatti Veyron was officially presented to the general public in 2005 as the fastest production car in the world, being capable of reaching a maximum speed of 408.47 km/h (253.8 mph).
“For years, the Bugatti engineers had worked diligently in order to push the 400 km/h boundary. No wind tunnel can simulate this velocity, which is why after each of a long series of improvements, the different ground clearance levels and the modifications of the rear fenders, spoiler and underbody were tested separately on high-speed test ranges. This ambition and diligence paid off, as the official speed measurement proves,” Bugatti said in 2005 when the company rolled out the Veyron.
So, until Bugatti releases an official statement regarding the Veyron production, keep your eyes pilled on autoevolution and we promise to bring you the news as soon as they happen.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Only Gets 4 Stars from NHTSA
It seems that extra weight really affects a car’s crash safety considerably. Apparently, the 54.5 extra kilos (120 lbs) the plug-in Toyota Prius has over the non-plug-in model have made a big difference in its safety rating.
The plug-in received only four stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as it performed worse in both the frontal test, as well as the rollover test. It is very odd how such little additional weight could cause such major changes in how safe a car is. Furthermore, the same weight could be replicated by a small-sized passenger, so on that basis, the regular car, carrying one extra passenger is just as (un-) safe as the plug-in.
This is a very odd phenomenon and we’re curious on whether it affects other cars, for example the EV versions of regular cars which weren’t designed with electricity in mind (Ford Focus EV, Honda Fit EV, Toyota Auris Hybrid).
This is a very odd phenomenon and we’re curious on whether it affects other cars, for example the EV versions of regular cars which weren’t designed with electricity in mind (Ford Focus EV, Honda Fit EV, Toyota Auris Hybrid).
Top 5 Fastest Production Cars of All Time
There's no doubt high-performance cars are a very interesting topic but, more importantly, they have become the subject of several companies who struggle to beat the World's Fastest Production Car record. Mercedes, Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini are just a few examples that confirm this statement as each of these automakers aimed in the past to create the fastest car in the world.
Today, we're going to present you the top 5 fastest production cars of all time, along with a brief description, photos and some other details regarding their attempts to beat the previous speed record.
Back in 1992, Martin Brundle, the famous British former Formula One driver, attempted to beat the record held at that time by the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS. He indeed managed to break the world record by driving an XJ220 with 212.3 mph (341.7 km/h) on the Nardo Ring circuit but there's a quite interesting story behind his attempt.
The catalytic converters installed on Jaguar XJ220 were limiting the overall output of the car and obviously represented a major disadvantage for people who aimed to beat the world record. However, by removing the catalytic converters, they managed to increase the rev limiter from 7200 rpm to 7900 rpm and thus, they improved the maximum speed.
On a second attempt to drive the Jaguar with even a higher speed using the aforementioned modifications, Brundle pushed the car to no less than 217.1 mph (349.4 km /h), a new world record which was held by the XJ220 for almost two years.
Today, we're going to present you the top 5 fastest production cars of all time, along with a brief description, photos and some other details regarding their attempts to beat the previous speed record.
Back in 1992, Martin Brundle, the famous British former Formula One driver, attempted to beat the record held at that time by the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS. He indeed managed to break the world record by driving an XJ220 with 212.3 mph (341.7 km/h) on the Nardo Ring circuit but there's a quite interesting story behind his attempt.
The catalytic converters installed on Jaguar XJ220 were limiting the overall output of the car and obviously represented a major disadvantage for people who aimed to beat the world record. However, by removing the catalytic converters, they managed to increase the rev limiter from 7200 rpm to 7900 rpm and thus, they improved the maximum speed.
On a second attempt to drive the Jaguar with even a higher speed using the aforementioned modifications, Brundle pushed the car to no less than 217.1 mph (349.4 km /h), a new world record which was held by the XJ220 for almost two years.
1979 VW Golf, as Fast as a Bugatti
Bugatti Veyron is the second fastest production car ever built with a top speed listed at 407 km/h (253 mph), after the SSC Ultimate Aero that can reach up to 414 km/h (257 mph). But now, a thirty year old Volkswagen Golf is allegedly faster than a Veyron, after its owner spent about 60,000 pounds ($98.856) to improve its performances.
The 1.5 liter engine the car was originally equipped with was replaced with a custom-built 1850 cc turbocharged engine. The car which now has a powerplant that develops 700 horsepower can reach a top speed of 289 km/h (180mph).
Not us much as the Veyron, but it can beat it in a quarter-mile sprint, as the Golf can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 2.36 seconds, which is one tenth faster. That is one reason to make Andy Waite, 42, proud of his ride.
The 1.5 liter engine the car was originally equipped with was replaced with a custom-built 1850 cc turbocharged engine. The car which now has a powerplant that develops 700 horsepower can reach a top speed of 289 km/h (180mph).
Not us much as the Veyron, but it can beat it in a quarter-mile sprint, as the Golf can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 2.36 seconds, which is one tenth faster. That is one reason to make Andy Waite, 42, proud of his ride.
Toyota UK Developing GT 86 Endurance Racer
Toyota is bringing back memories with the Toyota GB race team set to be back in business, which will return to the motorsport activity in the Production Class of this year’s Silverstone enduro with a Toyota GT 86, as part of the Britcar 24 Hours endurance race, the toughest in the country.
The livery of the GT 86 will be similar to that used by the double British Touring Car Championship winning AE86 from the mid-1980s. The British racing version of the GT 86 is currently being developed at the Buckinghamshire technical centre of GPRM, the company that created the BTCC Toyota Avensis prototype.
The new Toyota has all the makings of a great production class racer. We are concentrating our efforts on stripping back the chassis, lightening and strengthening it and of course equipping it with a roll cage and all the other safety gear required, as well as quick-refuelling equipment. Other than that, the GT86 will remain essentially in road car form,” said GPRM’s Gary Blackham.
The new Toyota has all the makings of a great production class racer. We are concentrating our efforts on stripping back the chassis, lightening and strengthening it and of course equipping it with a roll cage and all the other safety gear required, as well as quick-refuelling equipment. Other than that, the GT86 will remain essentially in road car form,” said GPRM’s Gary Blackham.
Halloween Special: Cars That Only Look Fast, But Aren’t
And this is a trend that seems to have accelerated in recent years - a decade ago, this article would have required a thorough search, whereas now it’s pretty much every other new car.
Still, we’ve tried to narrow it down to the biggest offenders in this category. Cars whose design builds anticipation that they can pin you to the back of your seat, when in reality they only give you boredom-derived pins and needles through your entire body.
I’m talking about cars like the latest Mazda3, particularly in hatchback guise. It looks so darn fast, like subtle hot hatch that wants to be taken by the scruff of the neck, yet when you get in and drive it, it’s a complete letdown.
This isn’t really related to the driving experience itself, which is fine by class standards, but it has to do with the choice of available engines (or lack thereof) because the most powerful one has a measly 180 horsepower - that’s pathetic, especially since it feels like its chassis can take a whole lot more.
Oh, and this is true of any modern Mazda, even the from the Mazda2 city car, through its SUV range and all the way up to that mosquito of the sports car world, the MX-5.
Still, we’ve tried to narrow it down to the biggest offenders in this category. Cars whose design builds anticipation that they can pin you to the back of your seat, when in reality they only give you boredom-derived pins and needles through your entire body.
I’m talking about cars like the latest Mazda3, particularly in hatchback guise. It looks so darn fast, like subtle hot hatch that wants to be taken by the scruff of the neck, yet when you get in and drive it, it’s a complete letdown.
This isn’t really related to the driving experience itself, which is fine by class standards, but it has to do with the choice of available engines (or lack thereof) because the most powerful one has a measly 180 horsepower - that’s pathetic, especially since it feels like its chassis can take a whole lot more.
Oh, and this is true of any modern Mazda, even the from the Mazda2 city car, through its SUV range and all the way up to that mosquito of the sports car world, the MX-5.
Toyota GT86 May Get KERS Hybrid, Instead of Forced Induction
While TRD is developing a supercharged Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S/ Subaru BRZ, which is set to arrive next year, along with a turbocharged STI version. However, the car’s chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada, is against forced induction of any kind, and recent rumors suggest that the car may get a different kind of boost - electricity!
Top Gear has hinted at a F1-style KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), after speaking with Tada recently - he said: "We're looking at a next-generation hybrid. More like the TS030 Le Mans Prototype." - a car which uses regenerative braking, stores it and then uses it to give the engine a boost, when needed.
The 2.0-liter engine would be left untouched, and the KERS system would be fitted alongisde - it will operate in a manner very similar to that of the Honda CR-Z, the only real ‘sporty’ hybrid currently on the market. We say it is an interesting and ‘very-Toyota’ approach to the problem of getting more power, but if they do make it, it will undoubtedly be very good.
The 2.0-liter engine would be left untouched, and the KERS system would be fitted alongisde - it will operate in a manner very similar to that of the Honda CR-Z, the only real ‘sporty’ hybrid currently on the market. We say it is an interesting and ‘very-Toyota’ approach to the problem of getting more power, but if they do make it, it will undoubtedly be very good.
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