2008 Bugatti Veyron on 2040-cars

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Audi CEO's Dieselgate arrest threatens fragile truce among VW stakeholders

FRANKFURT — The arrest and detention of Audi's chief executive forces Volkswagen Group's competing stakeholders to renegotiate the delicate balance of power that has helped keep Audi CEO Rupert Stadler in office. Volkswagen's directors are discussing how to run Audi, its most profitable division, following the arrest of the brand's long-time boss on Monday as part of Germany's investigations into the carmaker's emissions cheating scandal. The supervisory board of Audi, meanwhile, has suspended Stadler and appointed Dutchman Bram Schot as an interim replacement, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Schot joined the Volkswagen Group in 2011 after having worked as president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Italia. He has been Audi's board member for sales and marketing since last September. The discussions risk reigniting tensions among VW's controlling Piech and Porsche families, its powerful labor representatives and its home region of Lower Saxony. VW has insisted the development of illegal software, also known as "defeat devices," installed in millions of cars was the work of low-level employees, and that no management board members were involved. U.S. prosecutors have challenged this by indicting VW's former chief executive Martin Winterkorn. Stadler's arrest raises further questions. Audi and VW said on Monday that Stadler was presumed innocent unless proved otherwise. Munich prosecutors detained Stadler to prevent him from obstructing a probe into Audi's emissions cheating, they said on Monday. Stadler is being investigated for suspected fraud and false advertising. Here are the main factors deciding the fate of Audi. Background: Audi's role in Dieselgate Volkswagen Group was plunged into crisis in 2015 after U.S. regulators found Europe's biggest carmaker had equipped cars with software to cheat emissions tests on diesel engines. The technique of using software to detect a pollution test procedure, and to increase the effectiveness of emissions filters to mask pollution levels only during tests, was first developed at Audi. "In designing the defeat device, VW engineers borrowed the original concept of the dual-mode, emissions cycle-beating software from Audi," VW said in its plea agreement with U.S. authorities in January 2017, in which the company agreed to pay a $4.3 billion fine to reach a settlement with U.S. regulators.

Bugatti has no plans for a 1,500-hp Chiron roadster

Automakers seem to create variations of variations of variations. That's how we end up with vehicles like the BMW M6 Gran Coupe, which is totally not a slightly worked over M5 with a wider body. Many manufacturers seem to have taken Field of Dreams to heart, so it comes as a bit of a surprise that Bugatti said there will be no roadster version of the upcoming 1,500-horsepower Chiron. Speaking to Autocar, Bugatti board member Dr. Stefan Brungs said that the Veyron successor would only come as a coupe. That's a change of pace from the Veyron, which came in open-top Grand Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse versions. All in all, Bugatti sold a total of 450 Veyrons over a ten-year lifespan, a third of which were targa-roofed Grand Sports. Dr. Brungs didn't rule out more-powerful future variations of the Chiron, though the company is focused on selling the current 500-car allotment. The Chiron's 1,500 hp are supplied by an 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged, mid-mounted W16. That engine is a heavily updated version of the 1,300-hp W16 from the record-setting Veyron Grand Sport. That car holds the ill-defined title of the world's fastest production car, something Bugatti itself hopes to top with the Chiron in 2018. The Chiron goes on sale soon with a base price of $2.6 million, though options could easily push it over $3 million. Other hypercars, like the Ferrari LaFerrari, are coming out with open-top editions. The Porsche 918 only comes with a removable targa top. Despite the comments from Dr. Brungs, Bugatti is in the business of making money, so expect the company to seriously consider changing its mind. Related Video:

Bugatti Veyron Legend 'Jean Bugatti' bows ahead of Frankfurt reveal

Bugatti has just unveiled its second Bugatti Legends car ahead of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Like the car it displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Frankfurt car is based on the 1200-horsepower Grand Sport Vitesse, and honors one of the great figures from Bugatti's history - Jean Bugatti.
Yes, that's a famous last name. Jean was the oldest son of founder Ettore Bugatti, but his claim to fame goes far beyond his lineage. Jean designed the Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the rarest, most expensive and sought after vehicles ever made. In honor of his work, the latest Bugatti Legends car is based on Jean's personal Type 57SC, known as La Voiture Noire, or The Black Car.
Finished entirely in black carbon fiber, the grille surround and EB badges are made of platinum, a first for Bugatti. The black exterior, even with the use of a precious metal, is much more subdued than what we've grown used to with special edition Bugattis. Sporting a set of diamond cut, twin five-spoke wheels, the Legend Jean Bugatti features the designers signature in Arctic Gray on the gas and oil caps.