Speed Is of the Essence (THE CAR ONLY COSTS $452,750)

The New York Times Magazine ^ | 6/5/05 | CHRISTOPHER S. STEWART

[paulat]

[snip]

''You ready?'' Bradford asks and slams the accelerator. Tires squeal. In 3.8 seconds, we pass 60 m.p.h. In 11 seconds, we're doing 120, all 617 horses of the handmade V-8 engine cranking. No whistling or shaking. But the ride is loud and raw. At 150, the engine is a primal roar and my back is pressed flat against the black leather seat. At 175, the peripheral world blurs, and my lungs are in my throat. ''Easy, isn't it?'' Bradford shouts, his hands loose on the steering wheel, as the needle hits 180.

[paulat]

okay, so i'll trade up from my '86 honda civic hatchback....

[martin_fierro]

[andyandval]

Wow

[in the Arena]

[postaldave]

for $440,000 less you can get a modern liter sport bike and spanks is butt. either way, an upgrade for your civic.(smiles)

[paulat]

That is one BEAUTIFUL car!!!! Thanks for the pic.

Now...when my Powerball ticket comes up...I'll be ready!!!

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I believe that is a badass vehicle.

[paulat]

I believe that is a badass vehicle.

...yeah...the '86 Hondas were awesome!!!

[freebilly]

I'm not sure I need to go faster than 170 mph....

[upchuck]

More pics here.

[upchuck]

I wonder what the four door model looks like?

[B Knotts]

That's impressive...but check this guy out:

Guy Builds Own Mercedes Vision SLR!

[taxed2death]

....or... you could save yourself over $441,000.00 and buy a 2005 Suzuli GSXR 1000 that will blow this puppy into the weeds. Zero to 60 in under 3 seconds. 180+ mph.

Better gas mileage too.

[taxed2death]

Spellcheck is our friend. Suzuli = Suzuki

[paulat]

I clicked on the "Financing" tab and it just laughed at me....

[xcamel]

Engine Type: W16, Quad-Supercharged

Displacement cu in (cc): 488 (7993)

Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 1001(736) / 6000

Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 923(1250) / 2200-5500

Redline at RPM: n.a.

Brakes & Tires

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc

Tires F-R: 245/690 R520 - 335/710 R540 (PAX System)

Exterior Dimensions & Weight

Length × Width × Height in: 174.2 × 77.9 × 47

Weight lb (kg): 3416 (1550)

Performance

Acceleration 0-62 mph s: est. 3.0

Top Speed mph (km/h): est. 252 (406)

Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2003 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - Approx. $1,300,000 / 1,000,000

[paulat]

That's quite a lovely little trinket, too....

[upchuck]

LOL!

[ProudVet77]

And to think that in 1967 you could get a 427 Shelby Cobra for around 10 grand. My family didn'y buy into the idea that year and we wound up with a Ford Fairlane. :(

[Grut]

Maybe it looks better in the flesh, but the styling is just a mess of unrelated details.