By Kien M. Lee
"Les Legendes de Bugatti" are six special editions of its 16.4 Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse model created in celebration of the legends who have played a crucial role in the car manufacturer's history.
The sixth and final model of the "Les Légendes de Bugatti" series takes its inspiration from the legendary Type 41 Royale, and is dedicated to the founder of the company, Ettore Bugatti. It is unveiled at the Monterey Classic Car Week which takes place from 11 to 17 August.
It was Ettore's demand that an automobile be a perfect harmony of technology and aesthetics still applies to the manufacturer's approach today.
The legend's design is dedicated to Ettore Bugatti's passion for the unusual in automobile construction. One of his masterpieces – the Type 41 Royale – never fails to impress and inspire with its mere presence. Ettore liked to describe his creations as 'Pur Sang', as thoroughbreds.
In dedicating this Legend to Ettore, Bugatti stays true to his philosophy of aesthetically functional beauty for the automobile by using pure and natural materials such as polished aluminium and the finest cordovan leather.
Ettore's enthusiasm for riding was the basis of the idea to use, for the first time, horse leather for some of the interior. Elsewhere, naturally dyed cowhide is used.
Externally, a two-tone body – blue carbonfibre at the rear and hand-polished aluminium at the front – are a clear tribute to the 1932 Type 41 Royale, while the famous Bugatti horseshoe and EB logo are finished in platinum.
The "Ettore Bugatti" Legend is based on the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse as are all the other Legends with the super sports car powered by a 1,200 PS, 8-litre W16 engine that transmits an unequalled 1,500 Nm at 3,000 to 5,000 rpm to the tarmac and rockets it from zero to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds.
With a maximum speed of 408.84 km/h (254 MPH) with the roof down, the Vitesse is the world's fastest production roadster ever built.
