Targa-top Bugatti gets the go-ahead

Supercar gets set to be mean and roofless by serving up 250mph wind-in-the-hair thrills.

Auto Express Car Reviews

28th April 2008

Make way for the world’s fastest drop-top. Bosses at the VW Group have given the green light to a Targa version of the Bugatti Veyron.

Featuring a removable hard-top roof panel, it will deliver an incredible driving experience thanks to its 987bhp 6.0-litre W16 engine – and all at an amazing price. While the ‘standard’ car costs £840,000, the Targa is likely to be close to £900,000!

Only 80 will be built, against 300 for the coupé. But engineers are said to have decided against a full convertible as the Targa-style opening was the only roof that would fit inside the Veyron’s safety cage.

Even though the hard-top will be removable, there will be no space for it to be stored inside the car. If the heavens open, though, owners can make use of a fabric cover that can be extended to protect the cabin.

To cope with the loss of structural rigidity brought about by the removal of the roof, engineers will reinforce the Veyron’s chassis – a process which is likely to add to the model’s already hefty 1,950kg kerb-weight. As a result, the Targa won’t quite match the performance of the coupé version – the maximum speed will be limited to 217mph. That’s still quicker than the Pagani Zonda Roadster, though.

The wraps are expected to come off the Veyron Targa officially at a major motor show in 2009.

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