To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$1,350,000 - $1,600,000
- One of 12 'Sang Noir' editions, the only with a red
interior
- Less than 3,500 miles; recently fitted with new tires
- Serviced by Miller Motorcars in December 2017
After the Volkswagen group's purchase of the fabled French
manufacturer and construction of a purpose-built factory in
Bugatti's old home of Molsheim, France, the German manufacturer was
ready and willing to return Bugatti to its former grandeur.
Arguably the most widely anticipated automobile in the 21st
century, the engineering behind the Veyron was simply otherworldly.
Capable of a top speed of over 248 mph and sprints to 60 mph in
less than three seconds, passengers were also treated to unrivaled
luxury.
The incredible performance was courtesy of a 1,001-bhp, W-16
engine. Simply put, this was achieved by bolting two V-8 engines
together and fitting it with four turbochargers. In a documentary
about the Veyron's development and construction by National
Geographic, an engineer recalled the first time the Veyron's engine
was run at full throttle at Volkswagen's Salzgitter, Germany,
facility in 2001. The engine produced so much heat that it
overwhelmed the building's exhaust system, which almost went up in
flames as a result. Months were spent engineering, scrutinizing,
and testing all aspects of the car to ensure that none would crack
under pressure, or at speed.
Fine attention to detail is needed to produce a car capable of such
speeds, and it comes as no surprise that almost every part of the
Veyron is hand-built. Hundreds of hours are spent painstakingly
crafting components such as its carbon-ceramic disc brakes, 10
radiators, and even its tires, designed and produced especially for
the Veyron by Michelin. Only eight specialists are entrusted to
produce the Veyron's monstrous engine, which takes one week from
start to finish. While each engine is stated to produce 1,001 hp,
most cars produce between 1,030 and 1,060 hp in optimum conditions;
1,001 was merely the lowest amount of power the cars produce in
unfavorable conditions. Of course, keeping all this performance in
check is just as important, and the Veyron's braking is arguably
more exciting than its acceleration. It can deaccelerate to a stop
from 62 mph in just 2.2 seconds, quicker than it can accelerate to
that speed.
With only 300 Veyron coupes produced, some would be more special
than others as Bugatti crafted a handful of special editions with
unique features. One of Bugatti's earliest special editions, the
Sang Noir, its beauty lies in the details. Designed as an homage to
the Type 57S Atlantic, the Sang Noir is finished in two tone black
paint and exposed carbon fiber. Keen eyes will note the unique
chrome-plated horseshoe grille with polished wheels. This car is
particularly special in that while its siblings feature orange
leather interiors, this car is trimmed in unique bright red
leather.
Delivered new to Bugatti of Miami as the seventh Sang Noir Veyron
built, the car spent its early days in Florida, remaining there
until at least 2015 according to the accompanying CARFAX report. It
was shipped to Miller Motorcars in December 2017 for the annual
service, which included a new battery, the fitment of four new
tires, new front brake rotors, and new brake pads on each wheel.
Furthermore, the car's gearbox was found to be faulty and the car
was flown to the factory for the installation of a new
transmission. Following service, the Veyron was found to be in
faultless working order and has been driven less than 500 miles
since.
Four years after the last example was built, the Veyron has aged
wonderfully in all respects. Its performance is still world-beating
and its design, penned some two decades ago, remains tasteful,
purposeful, and aggressive. The special-edition Veyron variants are
amongst the most desirable, and the Sang Noir is as subtle as it is
unique. With only 12 examples built, it represents a fraction of
overall production. Following its recent service, this example is
ready to be driven and enjoyed, the perfect stablemate to a Chiron,
collection of modern supercars, or vintage Bugattis.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
