Most auto enthusiasts know of the fantastic engineering feat, the Bugatti Veyron.And when one buys a car, one usually thinks a little bit about the costs of maintenance. But when the car costs $2mil., maintenance costs probably aren't a concern, no matter how much they are ... Check out some of the Veyron's maintenance costs below, plus some other interesting facts. Some videos links included ........
Veyron Trivial Pursuit: Interesting Bugatti Facts and Figures
-The engine is hand-assembled by two technicians in Germany and makes a minimum of 987 horsepower, even at high altitude or in high temperatures. In perfect conditions its output is closer to 1050 horses.
-With 12 radiators required to cool that monstrous engine and the other systems, the Veyron carries 26 gallons in fluids, excluding fuel.
-The Veyron might do 253 mph, but it can't cover 253 miles in an hour because at that speed its 26-gallon tank will run dry after about 50 miles.
- With a tread depth of just 4 mm, the tires need to be replaced every 10,000 miles and the wheels every 30,000 miles. Total cost? Around $73,000.- The seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox is made by Ricardo in the UK, shifts in less than 150m/s, and costs $172,000.
- The front grilles are made of titanium to withstand bird strikes at 253 mph. "At that speed, the effect could be disastrous," says an engineer. "We need them to arrive as French fries."
- The ultra-lightweight titanium bolts used to secure major components cost $85 each, and are thrown away if they are tightened or have to be removed for any reason.
- The paintwork is done by the same German company that worked on the BMW Z8 and Porsche Carrera GT, and takes two days to examine in a light tunnel.
- Only one piece of glass in 30 is deemed good enough to be fitted to the car; the rest are stored for spares and future restorations.
- For its 60,000-mile service, the Veyron must be split in half. The work can be carried out in just five locations, or a mobile workshop can be flown to your car. No Veyron has yet done more than about 30,000 miles.
- Three Veyrons have been terminally damaged in accidents: two in the UK, and one in Japan. Another was destroyed in the U.S. when the truck delivering it was involved in an accident. At least one has been repossessed by a finance company in the recession.
To see a "review" of the Veyron, click here:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...iew/index.html
Here are a couple of neat videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz59q42sIJQ &
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO0PgyPWE3o
<P><HR></P>