CaptainSlow+Bugatti Veyron=254mph

[Satch]

For those who missed it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dYCM62pdj8

 

[masqueraid]

That is such a beautiful car. I still can't get over Clarkson's comment last season that although it costs £860K to buy it actually costs around £2M to build (!)

 

[pammy]

Thank you so much. I missed that bit of the show - twice Absolutely awesome. Apart from seeing the Northern Lights - that has to be my dream

 

[wallingd]

407.8 I saw on the display, which is 253.24mph (407.8*0.621?) .

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

That is such a beautiful car. I still can't get over Clarkson's comment last season that although it costs £860K to buy it actually costs around £2M to build (!)

I reckon that losing over a million on each one was part of the plan all along. Think how much media coverage they've had since it was first incepted? I can't quite remember how long it's been in the press now - but it must be around the millenium that plans emerged? That's a lot of advertising and brand building for VW.

 

[BTB 500]

Fantastic, I also missed that bit of the show.

 

[masqueraid]

That's a lot of advertising and brand building for VW.

Maybe, but I'm not going to be buying a VW as a result

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Great TV that unlike last weeks!

 

[glojo]

That is such a beautiful car. I still can't get over Clarkson's comment last season that although it costs £860K to buy it actually costs around £2M to build (!)

I can understand the development costs must have been astronomical, and to spread that costing out over the few cars that will be sold would no doubt push the costs up to the figures being mentioned. I wonder if that is what they mean when this figure is discussed?

Regards,
John

 

[Shude]

Bearing in mind that VW are experiencing financial difficulties atm I find it amusing that they would continue to develop this car!

It was however an excellent topgear!

 

[glojo]

Bearing in mind that VW are experiencing financial difficulties atm I find it amusing that they would continue to develop this car!

It was however an excellent topgear!

I agree, and the research required to develop a vehicle that is rock solid stable at speeds in excess of 250mph must not be underestimated. I cannot help but wonder WHY! Why on earth invest millions of pounds or billions of lira into this type of research? Who would ever drive at these speeds on a public road?

I always watch Top Gear, but to be honest I pay very little attention to its factual content It's simply entertainment that meets my personal taste.

Regards,
John

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I cannot help but wonder WHY! Why on earth invest millions of pounds or billions of lira into this type of research? Who would ever drive at these speeds on a public road?

Because they can!!

I think the simple answer is human endeavour. It's in built into our nature to push the boundaries of what's possible, and is probably the reason that mankind has been reasonable successful on earth.

Ideas are created and decions are made by people, and so organisations push the same boundaries as individuals.

All a bit profound. I'm going for a rest now - endeavour sounds like hard work!!

 

[Shude]

Because they can!!

I think the simple answer is human endeavour. It's in built into our nature to push the boundaries of what's possible, and is probably the reason that mankind has been reasonable successful on earth.

Ideas are created and decions are made by people, and so organisations push the same boundaries as individuals.

All a bit profound. I'm going for a rest now - endeavour sounds like hard work!!

Never mind that lot! Think about the poor shareholders!

 

[Dieselman]

I I wonder if that is what they mean when this figure is discussed?

Regards,
John

Almost certainly. The car probably costs a lot less than £100k to make and build.

 

[scotth_uk]

I reckon that losing over a million on each one was part of the plan all along. Think how much media coverage they've had since it was first incepted? I can't quite remember how long it's been in the press now - but it must be around the millenium that plans emerged? That's a lot of advertising and brand building for VW.

The car has finally replaced the Lambo Countach as being the #1 poster car for generations. It will live in people's minds forever.

 

[glojo]

The car has finally replaced the Lambo Countach as being the #1 poster car for generations. It will live in people's minds forever.

But it's just a 250mph jelly mould on wheels. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder but have looks been sacrificed for slipperness?

John

 

[scotth_uk]

I really like the look of the Veyron. From the right angle, you have no idea what size the car actually is.

My mother went spare when she saw it on TV, yelling "Whatever that is - I want it!"

 

[grober]

pax dudes!

The Veyron is indeed a piece of "automotive art" and should be regarded as such. Beautiful car without a doubt but I feel the £2M cost is all part of the marketing release hype that Clarkson et al like to come out with to add to the mythology. Have you fickle fans forgotten the Mclaren FI gold plated engine compartment so quickly! http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/cars/f1gt.htm You could of course also come out with this alternative statement of reverence.

" And the Veyron --------[ pause here for sharp intake of reverental breath] shares the advanced Michelin Pax tyre system with those other motoring design icons the Renault Scenic and Honda Odyssey"! Funny they never mention that.

 

[mb240]

I agree, and the research required to develop a vehicle that is rock solid stable at speeds in excess of 250mph must not be underestimated. I cannot help but wonder WHY! Why on earth invest millions of pounds or billions of lira into this type of research? Who would ever drive at these speeds on a public road?


Regards,
John

Eventually, when we all live on the moon, there will be huge delimited autobahns called lunarbahns. It will be running on some weird new fuel, possibly ice cream or moon cheese, and the research will help in keeping it on the ground at phenomenal speed, in 1/6th the gravity of earth.

That, or it's used in secret underground tunnels by super rich people who get to drive around without traffic lights, sort of like Men in Black.


I suppose really, it basically sticks the fingers up at MB, BMW, etc., and says "COME ON THEN....". Next big car CEO meeting, etc., .

 

[Howard]

I saw an Enzo in Teddington last year ( probably one of the Autocar boys ) , it looked stunning , but ......... ( i'm trying to think of the best way to put this ) ..... It looked .....fragile .....

Whereas I have actually seen a McF1 in the flesh and up close and it didn't have that same (sneeze and you'll break me) quality about it ....

Put me off straight away ....