Turbo Zone

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse has become the world’s fastest open-top car, with a speed of 254.04mph The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is officially the world’s fastest open-top car, hav…ing reached a maximum speed of 254.04mph on a run at the Volkswagen Group’s Ehra-Lessien proving grounds at the hands of Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu.

The 8.0-litre W16 engine in the Grand Sport Vitesse produces 1,184bhp and 1,500Nm of torque, but also uses a specially developed roof spoiler and intricate windbreak to ensure the cabin remains calm even at very high speeds.   Speaking about his record Liu said: “This was a very exciting moment. The car even at such high speeds is incredibly comfortable and stable.

With an open top, you can really experience the sound of the engine and yet at even higher speeds I did not get compromised by the wind”. The iconic orange and black car used to set the record will appear on the manufacturer’s stand at the Shanghai Motor Show next week. Bugatti is also using this opportunity to produce a limited run of eight “World Record Car” editions of the Grand Sport Vitesse, with each car costing around £1.7m before taxes.   The Veyron was stripped of its title as the world’s fastest production car last week by the Hennessy Venom GT, which managed 265.7mph. *story and photo from autoexpress.com

Schumacher has signed deal to help Mercedes develop new safety systems

Mercedes has announced that it has signed a long-term partnership agreement with seven-time Formula One champion, and former Mercedes F1 driver, Michael Schumacher.

According to Mercedes, Schumacher’s role will be ambassadorial, but will “extend far beyond motorsport and Formula One… Schumacher will mainly be involved with topics relating to the future, in particular the further development of the

Mercedes-Benz safety and comfort systems.”

That means Schumacher will work to help finesse the next generation of Mercedes’ suite of driver assistance systems that the firm groups under the umbrella of ‘Intelligent Drive.’
These include technology like the improved night vision, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights and auto braking and steering systems that debuted on the facelifted Mercedes E-Class range.

Talking about the new deal, Schumacher said: “[In Formula One] I was very often able to rely on the help of all the technologies available to me in the car and use them to my advantage. That is why I am a declared supporter of driving assistance systems both in the racing car and in the road-going car.”

Michael Schumacher will be making his first appearance in his new role with Mercedes on 1 May.
Meanwhile, current F1 champion, Sebastian Vettel, already holds the grandiose title of Infiniti Director of Performance. Vettel has been involved with Infiniti since 2011, and has been involved with some development driving of the new Q50 saloon, due on sale later this year. *story and photo from autoexpress.com