Within the next few months, Bugatti is looking to establish a dealership in Dallas. Yesterday I had the opportunity to drive a Bugatti Veyron, the fastest, most expensive, most-sought-after car in the world. My co-pilot, racecar driver Butch Letzinger, met me and other media at Mercedes Benz Park Place Motorcars. He gave me a quick tour of the $1.6 million machine, and then it was my turn.
We pulled into a parking lot off Northwest Highway, and Letzinger handed me the keys to the Bugatti Veyron. The fastest production car in the world – topping out at 253 mph – its acceleration is unmatched: 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds; a quarter-mile in 10 seconds. (It almost beat this jet in a race.) It is such a rare opportunity to get to drive the Bugatti that even national auto writers can’t always have this access. I am lucky enough to work with Tim, Eric, and Zac, who are, lets face it, wimps. Each of them bowed out at the last minute.
The driver’s seat felt like more like a cockpit. I reached for the gearshift, and Letzinger explained to me that the 7-speed dsg-gearbox has a two-clutch transmission, with the performance of a manual and the ease of an automatic. It also has paddles if you wanted to manually change gears. Channeling my inner Danica Patrick, I pulled out onto Northwest Highway and (gently) accelerated. Surprisingly I didn’t feel intimidated. Time to let the cougar loose.
I turned onto the toll road and accelerated. We sounded like a jet taking off. I decided that I wanna go fast! The car hugged the road as my speed increased. I went 0 to 120 mph in 3rd gear, in seconds, while Letzinger stiffened up a bit. Even at 120 mph it was easy to control. Roar.
We exited Mockingbird and drove down Douglas. After effortlessly doing 120 on the toll road it was hard not to speed through Highland Park. Driving by, we got plenty of looks from Highland Park Village-goers, who clearly noticed us. Somehow, the car isn’t as ostentatious as you would expect a $1.6 million car would be. I mean, I would take it to grocery store, no problem.
We pulled up to the dealership, and I reluctantly got out of the car. Letzinger told me that I had done well. But all that matters is that he told me I drove faster then the Dallas Morning News guy.
