2008 Bugatti Veyron on 2040-cars

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Just 50 to go as Bugatti sells its 400th Veyron

When Bugatti first introduced the Veyron, production was limited to just 300 coupes (including the original 16.4 and the Super Sport). Those were followed by an additional 150 roadsters (both Grand Sport and Vitesse), of which 100 have now been sold, leaving just 50 examples left before the Veyron finally roars off into the sunset.
The 400th Veyron built was the third and final example of the Jean-Pierre Wimille edition pictured here. Based on the Vitesse roadster, the Wimille edition is the first in a series of six Legend specials that pay homage to the Alsatian marque's history. The second is dedicated to Jean Bugatti, and the third to racer and factory team manager Meo Costantini, with three more of these three-unit special editions to follow out of the remaining 50 cars to be built at Molsheim. We're expecting one of the remaining three to be named after Rembrandt Bugatti, designer of the company's elephant hood ornament.
Given that it has taken the company over eight years to build those 400 cars, it figures to take Bugatti another year or so to complete the final 50, by which point it'll hopefully have a successor in place. For more news on the landmark, see the official press release below.

Bugatti debuts first Veyron Legends model in Pebble Beach

Bugatti has officially debuted the first of its five "Legends" cars, which pay tribute to six of the most revered figures in the French manufacturer's pre-war history. The first, which we detailed a few weeks back, is dedicated to Bugatti's longest-serving test driver, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and is based on the world's fastest convertible - the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.
Fittingly, it's finished in a paint scheme reminiscent of Wimille's own racer, a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Tank, which was also on hand for the Monterey debut. Bearing blue carbon fiber and Wimille Bleu paint, it looked striking under the bright blue skies of Monterey. The powertrain, a quad-turbocharged, 16-cylinder monster, will remain unchanged for the Legend cars.
We've got a pair of galleries of the latest limited edition Veyron - up top, we have live shots of the first Legend car, while the bottom are images direct from Bugatti that show the car alongside Wimille's own Type 57C Tank, along with some cool historical images. Check 'em out.

Volkswagen breaks 40-year-old sales record in 2012

The last time Volkswagen moved this many vehicles in America in one year, Richard Nixon was still a President in good standing, Let It Be was a radio hit and each car wearing the VW badge boasted an air-cooled engine. That's right, with a grand total of 580,286 vehicles sold in the US last year, the VW Group has broken its own four-decades-old sales record by 2,899 vehicles.
Of that 580k total sold, 438k were Volkswagens and 139k were Audi products - increases of 35.1 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, in year-over-year sales. The ultra-premium members of the VW group also fared well; Bentley delivered 2,315 vehicles for a 23.3-precent increase, and Lamborghini delivered 520 units for a 52.9-percent jump. Bugatti, we're told is "right on track."
Jetta (pictured) sales paced the marque with 170k models sold, and Passat also finished very strong with sales of 117k total. Tiguan also racked up its best year on file, with 31,731 models shifted.