£2m Bugatti Veyron Legends Black Bess revealed

There are special editions, and then there are special editions – and this latest Bugatti Veyron Legends Edition car falls firmly in the latter camp. Based on the 1,200hp Grand Sport Vitesse, and with styling influenced by a classic Bugatti Type 18, this is the Bugatti Veyron Black Bess.

No kidding.

This particular Vitesse Legend is named after a Bugatti Type 18 bought by the French aviation pioneer Roland Garros all the way back in 1913, which picked up the Black Bess sobriquet, the name of a famous British racehorse. Capable of 100mph, the Type 18 was one of the fastest road cars of its day.
 

Bugatti

Much of the gold detailing here is real gold detailing, which is to say actual 24-carat

Black Bess is the fifth in a total run of six "Les Légendes de Bugatti" special edition models, and as with the previous models, just three will be built. And as with the other Legends cars, it’s the detailing that counts.

The black paint on the outside covers carbonfibre bodywork – big deal. But much of the gold detailing here is real gold detailing, which is to say actual 24-carat. Including the horseshoe grille surround on the nose.

On the inside, the beige leather interior features hand-painted scenes from Roland Garros’ life, finished using a specially developed ink and finishing process unique to this car. The steering wheel is contrast crimson red, just like the original's.
 

Bugatti

Based on the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse – the fastest roadster version – the Black Bess is powered by a 1,200hp W16 engine, force-fed by four turbochargers and also producing 1,106lb ft of torque. 0-62mph takes just 2.6 seconds, top speed is a toupee-threatening 254mph. With the roof down.

Each Black Bess is priced to sell for €2.15 million, which is approximately £1,785,000. This probably won’t bother prospective buyers, as all 12 previous Bugatti Legends cars have already sold out.

Black Bess debuts at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, 21-29 April. It will be displayed alongside the original, which is one of only three surviving Bugatti Type 18s.

For more pictures, please click through our Bugatti Black Bess gallery above

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By CJ Hubbard, Motoring Research