1001 bhp, 7,993 cc DOHC quad-turbocharged fuel-injected W-16 engine, seven-speed dual- clutch sequential transaxle, Haldex four-wheel drive, electrically adjustable independent front and rear suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic carbon fibre disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,710 mm (106.7")

• One of only about 300 Veyrons sold to date; one of 44 built in 2006

• The first UK Veyron; displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Only 9,500 km (5,937 miles) from new; includes books, records and top speed key

• 1001 bhp, W-16 engine; 0–62 in 2.46 seconds; top speed of 253.81 mph

Since 2005, the fastest, most powerful production supercar in the world has been the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, named for Pierre Veyron, winner of the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans race for Bugatti, and its 16-cylinder quad-turbocharged engine. The original version, named “Car of the Decade” by the BBC television show Top Gear, was produced from 2005–2011. Subsequent models have included the targa-top Grand Sport (2008) and the Super Sport (2010), which boasts a top speed of 267.856 mph, currently making it the fastest street-legal production car in the world.

The 2005 Veyron was based on the Bentley Hunaudieres concept and manufactured at Bugatti’s traditional home in Molsheim in Alsace, France. It was designed by Hartmut Warkuss, with Jozef Kaban responsible for the body and Wolfgang Schreiber directing the engineering. Volkswagen officials recorded a top speed of 253.81 mph at the company’s test track. This speed was later verified on Top Gear by James May.

The Veyron requires a total of 10 radiators: three to cool the engine, three for the heat exchangers and one each for the air conditioning, transmission, differential and engine oil. Performance is nothing short of spectacular. Road & Track magazine measured 0–60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds at 143.6 mph. Bugatti claims 0–200 km/h (124.3 mph) in 7.3 seconds and 0–300 km/h (186.4 mph) in 16.8 seconds. The Michelin PAX run-flat tyres are specifically made for the car to handle the extraordinary speed. Whilst the Veyron is no lightweight, weighing in at 4,162 lbs., its 1,001 horsepower W-16 engine certainly helps it stay light on its feet.

This incredible car was originally delivered to the UK in 2006 and displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that summer. As it was the first Veyron delivered to the UK, it has an extra chassis plate with UK1 on it (which has never been fitted to the car). The car had one previous owner prior to the vendor and carried the prized registration B1. Since, it has only covered 9,500 km (5,937 miles) from new and comes complete with service history/books, MOT, handbooks, cover, charger, PDA and speed key. The car has been known to H.R. Owen all its life, and the company has confirmed that it has never required any paintwork or repairs. A complete list of service records have been stamped in the book as well. Additionally, the Veyron is offered with an extra set of wheels, and the vendor recently had the car fully serviced by Bugatti in London to ensure a clean bill of health at time of sale.

Much like the great Bugattis of the past, the Veyron is a masterpiece of engineering and design. There is so much that can be said of this car. It was the quickest accelerating and decelerating street legal production car in the world and the world’s fastest, with a recorded top speed of 253.19 mph. It was also the most expensive, at about $1.25 million each. Statistics aside, the Veyron certainly lives up to its namesake and will continue to do so with the past, present and future legends of Bugatti.