The new Grand Sport features a removable targa-style roof and a number of added features exclusive to it. In line with previous speculation, the roof must be removed and stowed away manually. Should the weather turn foul, a folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella and fixed as a temporary measure.

Engineers limited to targe-style roof
According to Bugatti’s communication chief, Georges Keller, the roofless targa option was the only one available because there was no other solution that could fit with the car’s safety cage. While the roof will be removable, there will be no storage space for it within the car, so the cover will have to be taken off at home. Most low-volume supercars use targa panels because of the low cost of development and to retain the structural integrity of the chassis.

Distinguishing the Grand Sport from its coupe sibling is its slightly taller windscreen, new daytime running lights, and of course the lightweight and transparent polycarbonate roof. The roadster also incorporates a number of structural changes designed to ensure it offers similar performance and passive safety levels as the coupe.

Open-top design doesn't compromise performance
With the roof in place, the car will reach speeds of up to 407km/h just like the coupe. Speeds of up to 360km/h are possible with the roof stowed away. The umbrella-like cloth roof, however, limits the Veyron’s top speed to a rather mundane 130km/h.

To maintain rigidity and safety levels, the Veyron Grand Sport has been modified to be as stiff as the coupe. The monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel, the B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.

Additionally, the doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fiber, and house an integrated longitudinal beam. In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10cm wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection should the car roll.

Production limited to just 150 units
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be available from March next year overseas at a cost of €1.4 million (approximate AUD$2.37 million). Only 150 examples will be produced, with the first 50 going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers.

How many of those units will make it to Australian soil will depend entirely on how many wealthy enthusiasts seek to have them imported. The added complexity and limited availability of the targa is also likely to drive the market price of one of the world’s fastest convertibles through the (fortunately removable) roof. The recently revealed Bugatti Veyron Hermes and Sang Noir special editions already command substantial premiums over 'standard' Veyron models, and those are essentially styling packages.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport gallery

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