As we reported earlier this month, Bugatti is in fact planning a production run of open-air Veyrons. At that time, all we really knew about the convertible Veyron was that it would have a targa top and would begin production in 2009. But thanks to a new report, we have a little bit more info about the latest open-air supercar.
According to AutoExpress, the targa Veyron will use the same 6.0L W16 as its fixed-roof counterpart, but the removal of the roof section will cost buyers a little extra. While the “standard” Veyron lists from £840,000, look for the targa version to start at about £900,000.
But that extra coin won’t get you any extra performance. In fact, the targa version will be slightly slower than the coupe, due to the need to reinforce the car’s chassis for lack of a solid roof structure. However, slower in Bugatti ’s terms is much faster than any other nameplate’s definition. The targa Veyron is expected to come with a top speed of 217 mph.
A former Bugatti executive told Automotive News that the supercar maker had to do with a targa top instead of a conventional soft top “because there was no other solution which could fit with its safety cage.”
There will be no storage compartment for the roof in the Veyron – meaning open air driving will have to be planned in advance — but it has also been reported that targa models will include a makeshift soft top for emergencies.
The targa Veyron will see a significantly shorter production run than the coupe — 80 total vs 300 — and we should see the open-top Veyron at one of 2009′s major auto shows.
