The Bugatti Veyron

One of the coolest cars on my top ten list is the Bugatti Veyron, named after Pierre Veyron, a superb race car driver, who won the 1939 Le Mans 24 Hours driving a Bugatti T57C. Clearly, it should be no surprise that this car makes my list, since it is estimated to be the most expensive car in the world, at a real cool two-and-a half million US dollars. They say that the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is also the fastest car in the world, reaching top speeds of 259mph. Gosh, you'd have to be crazy not to want this powerhouse in your garage!

A masterpiece, lovingly and seamlessly built, all by hand in France, this beauty uses high quality, precious materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium. According to official reports, "Volkswagen CEO made high demands: the designers were to revive the heritage of Ettore Bugatti with this new super sports car", in addition to what seemed like unreasonable specs, such as minimum speed of 240mph and an incredible one-thousand horse. Indeed, the Bugatti Veyron well exceeds the highest standards in performance, technology, safety, and refinement. Interestingly, the company has stated that one tradition was broken when creating and building the Veyron 16.4. Critics of Ettore Bugatti felt that he often sacrificed technical aspects in favor of aesthetics. This newest incarnation, however, is actually a perfect mix of technology and elegance, the embodiment of harmony.

In terms of safety, the Veyron Super Sport has been restricted in its top speed in order to protect the tires... if you can call speeds of 259mph with 1001hp restricted. Further, the car has been engineered to precisely maneuver even the trickiest bends in the road, and to maintain complete control when braking or accelerating. Safety sensors guide the vehicle in case the driver loses control. For example, on the 2011 model, the stability sensors decrease engine power and apply brakes in an attempt to avoid losing control. Also, the anti-lock brake sensors help to keep tires rotating when braking, by tempering the pressure of the brakes, thus allowing the vehicle to turn while the brakes are applied. And, the seat belt sensors take up the gap in the belts in case of crash, so that the driver is in the safest seated position.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, an aerodynamic convertible, is unique because the car's aerodynamic features have been engineered to adjust according to the car's speed. To accomplish this, the Grand Sport "uses three configuration modes" including Standard, which is for speeds up to 132mph, Handling, which is focused on higher speeds where the car's optimum power is found closer to the road, and Top Speed, which is unlocked with a special key that the driver engages before starting the car. With this final mode, the car can reach speeds of 240mph, previously only achieved with a completely closed vehicle.

You can really see how the old values of Bugatti are present in these modern day cars. His motto was "Art, Form, and Technique", and the resurrected Bugatti Veyron line has captured the triumph of the original brand.