Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Red Edition debuts at Frankfurt
Bugatti has unveiled the Veyron Grand Sport Red Edition at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, offering a bold new look to boost interest in its slow-selling open-top hypercar.
Bugatti introduced the Veyron Grand Sport Red Edition at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, applying a vivid red finish to its open-top hypercar in an effort to stimulate sales. The Red Edition does not bring mechanical changes or performance upgrades, instead relying on visual impact to draw attention to a model that has struggled to find buyers.
Red Edition: visual update for a rare convertible
The Grand Sport Red Edition is distinguished solely by its colour scheme, with the bodywork finished in a deep red and matched to red wheels. The interior also features red accents, but the underlying car remains unchanged from the standard Grand Sport. This approach mirrors Bugatti’s previous limited editions, which have often focused on bespoke paint and trim rather than technical enhancements.
Underneath, the Grand Sport continues with Bugatti’s 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine, delivering 1,001hp to all four wheels. With the roof in place, the car is capable of reaching 407km/h. As a convertible, the top speed drops to 360km/h due to aerodynamic constraints. If the removable hard top is left at home, a temporary soft top can be fitted, but this restricts maximum speed to 130km/h.
Slow sales prompt special edition
Bugatti planned to build 150 examples of the Veyron Grand Sport, but by the time of the Frankfurt launch, only 42 had been sold. The Red Edition is part of a series of limited-run variants intended to generate renewed interest among collectors and high-net-worth buyers. At a price of €1.4 million, the Grand Sport sits among the most expensive production cars ever offered, but demand has not matched the company’s expectations.
The Grand Sport’s sales performance contrasts with the success of the Veyron Super Sport, which drew headlines for its world-record top speed and quickly found buyers. Bugatti’s strategy with the Red Edition and other colour-themed models is to maintain interest in the Veyron platform as production winds down and attention shifts to future projects.
Veyron Grand Sport: technical highlights
| Engine | 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 |
|---|---|
| Power | 1,001hp |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
| Top speed (roof on) | 407km/h |
| Top speed (roof off) | 360km/h |
| Top speed (soft top) | 130km/h |
| Production limit | 150 units |
| Units sold (by autumn 2011) | 42 |
| Price | €1.4 million |
The Veyron Grand Sport remains the world’s fastest convertible, and the Red Edition joins a series of visually distinctive variants aimed at keeping Bugatti in the spotlight. For those seeking a more technically advanced or exclusive version, Bugatti has also produced models such as the Veyron Super Sport and the Grand Sport Vitesse.
For more on Bugatti’s one-off and special edition Veyrons, seeBugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc: Porcelain Meets Hypercar.
