Bugatti has announced the launch of an open-top version of its 250-mile-per-hour Veyron supercar hypercar. It is set to be unveiled at this year’s Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, on August 16th, termed the Veyron Grand Sport, it retains the coupe’s W16-cylinder engine producing a mindblowing 1001 horsepower.
Following the car’s unveiling, Bugatti plans to pre-sell the very first car at the renown Gooding auction at the Equestrian Center at Pebble Beach. Actual production will begin in Spring 2009.
The car “incorporates innovative structural solutions, designed to ensure the roadster offers the same extremely high levels of performance and passive safety as the coupe version,” the company said in a statement to the press.
Price for the Grand Sport remains unknown, but it should command a considerable premium over the already expensive $1.3 million standard Veyron.
The roof is a relatively simple targa top configuration, rather than a convertible setup. The owner must simply remove the top panel above the two seats to enjoy the open air. It’s not known if there is space onboard the car to stow the roof panel, or if it must be left at home, as is the case with many targa vehicles.