Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport revealed - sets 268 mph land speed world record

On Saturday afternoon (July 3) at the Volkswagen Group's Ehra-Lessien track near Wolfsburg, Germany, the Veyron Super Sport set an average top speed rating of 431,072 km/h (268 mph). Piloted by Bugatti test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel, with German inspection officials (TÜV) keeping watch, the car topped out once at 428 km/h and second time at 434 km/h. A representative of the Guinness Book of Records was on hand to witness the new world record.

"We took it that we would reach an average value of 425 km/h (264 mph), but the conditions today were perfect and allowed even more," said Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bugatti's chief engineer, in the press release.

The 1,200-hp (882 kW) and 1,500 Nm (1106 lb-ft) of torque of the Super Sport represents a 200 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) increase over the standard Veyron. Bugatti engineers achieved the power upgrade by using four enlarged turbochargers on the 8.0 liter, 16-cylinder engine along with larger intercoolers. The Veyron Super Sport also gets a chassis tuning with a higher main-spring travel, strengthened stabilizers and racing-grade shock absorbers.

The street prowling version of the Veyron Super Sport, though, will be electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph).

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport will make its first public appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California in August.