AMG
01-06-2004, 02:01 AM
Thomas Bscher:
* We do not have any remaining problems with the Veyron, there are some minor things however: The front of the car must be reworked, to improve the crash-structure.
* The Veyron passes the Crashtest, but with a carbon-car, one can offer additional safety, which is impossible to do in a steel car.
* As Bscher & Co. we would have offered the car fall 2004, the stringent quality of VW is the reason for the extra delay.
* The cost of the Bugatti project has not been a point of discussion within VW. We have invested so much, now we will finish the car.
* The delays have been caused partly because the project was not done within the regular VW-system, effect of which was that many problems did not show up before the testing.
* The main challenge came from the design of the car being made before the technics of the car (which were later changed, JJH).
* The shape of the car itself is not good for downforce, in fact it gives a considerable amount of lift. Two hydraulically moveable rear spoilers give a downforce of almost 500kg.
* Top speed with these spoilers and downforce is only 370 kmh, because they increase drag.
* If a client wants to go over 400, we will have to reduce drag, and therefore downforce.
* The client will only be allowed to drive in certain circumstances with reduced downforce, for example the tires must be 100% Ok. It is no option to let the driver sign a paper in which he states to accept all responsibility.
* There is no corner of the car where there is no radiator fitted, heat generation is no problem, the car passes the Tokyo-city-test.
* The problem with increasing power (I could imagine a version with 1001 kW, not 1001 HP) is the room needed for radiators. I never saw a car with more technic in such a small place.
* This results in a heavy car though: We are currently at 2000 kg, and hope to get 100 kg off. We´re even looking at the engine to reduce weight.
* The Veyron will not get any prices for fuel consuption, in fact there was no fuel pump powerfull enough! so we had to develop our own.
* Approx. 2 dozen cars were ordered, with a downpayment of 300.000 Euro.
* The Veyron is only an investment in the marque, we will make no money with it. This must come from a new model.
* In Bscher´s vision the new model will be a small sportscar, maybe a 2-door 4-seater, of which 2000 will be made yearly, at a price of approx. 100.000 Euro.
* This car will be using components from the VW-group, possibly from Bentley even, where a small car will not be competing with the Bentley cars.
* The new car may be fitted with a VW engine.
* Development of future cars may be done at different departments of VW, where Bugatti does the project-coordination.
* Such a strong marque does not need much advertisement, therefore less money will be spent on marketing, we focus on the technical development now.
* After the small sports car, the marque will grow further with more models
* If the new sports car will be on the market bu 2008, we will be making profit by 2009.
* Additional info: To deliver 1000 HP, the Veyron must burn approx. 5 liters of fuel per minute. This is 300 liters per hour! Connecting this to a top speed of over 400 (or 370 with downforce), gives a fuel economy of just over 1 km/liter, or approx. 80 liters per 100km.
* We do not have any remaining problems with the Veyron, there are some minor things however: The front of the car must be reworked, to improve the crash-structure.
* The Veyron passes the Crashtest, but with a carbon-car, one can offer additional safety, which is impossible to do in a steel car.
* As Bscher & Co. we would have offered the car fall 2004, the stringent quality of VW is the reason for the extra delay.
* The cost of the Bugatti project has not been a point of discussion within VW. We have invested so much, now we will finish the car.
* The delays have been caused partly because the project was not done within the regular VW-system, effect of which was that many problems did not show up before the testing.
* The main challenge came from the design of the car being made before the technics of the car (which were later changed, JJH).
* The shape of the car itself is not good for downforce, in fact it gives a considerable amount of lift. Two hydraulically moveable rear spoilers give a downforce of almost 500kg.
* Top speed with these spoilers and downforce is only 370 kmh, because they increase drag.
* If a client wants to go over 400, we will have to reduce drag, and therefore downforce.
* The client will only be allowed to drive in certain circumstances with reduced downforce, for example the tires must be 100% Ok. It is no option to let the driver sign a paper in which he states to accept all responsibility.
* There is no corner of the car where there is no radiator fitted, heat generation is no problem, the car passes the Tokyo-city-test.
* The problem with increasing power (I could imagine a version with 1001 kW, not 1001 HP) is the room needed for radiators. I never saw a car with more technic in such a small place.
* This results in a heavy car though: We are currently at 2000 kg, and hope to get 100 kg off. We´re even looking at the engine to reduce weight.
* The Veyron will not get any prices for fuel consuption, in fact there was no fuel pump powerfull enough! so we had to develop our own.
* Approx. 2 dozen cars were ordered, with a downpayment of 300.000 Euro.
* The Veyron is only an investment in the marque, we will make no money with it. This must come from a new model.
* In Bscher´s vision the new model will be a small sportscar, maybe a 2-door 4-seater, of which 2000 will be made yearly, at a price of approx. 100.000 Euro.
* This car will be using components from the VW-group, possibly from Bentley even, where a small car will not be competing with the Bentley cars.
* The new car may be fitted with a VW engine.
* Development of future cars may be done at different departments of VW, where Bugatti does the project-coordination.
* Such a strong marque does not need much advertisement, therefore less money will be spent on marketing, we focus on the technical development now.
* After the small sports car, the marque will grow further with more models
* If the new sports car will be on the market bu 2008, we will be making profit by 2009.
* Additional info: To deliver 1000 HP, the Veyron must burn approx. 5 liters of fuel per minute. This is 300 liters per hour! Connecting this to a top speed of over 400 (or 370 with downforce), gives a fuel economy of just over 1 km/liter, or approx. 80 liters per 100km.