Business Times - 04 May 2005
Bugatti picks S'pore agent for 1m euro Veyron
Much-hyped supercar offered to at least two prospective local
buyers
By SAMUEL EE
THE 1 million euro (S$2.14 million) Bugatti Veyron, one of the most
expensive sports cars in the world, has been offered to at least
two prospective Singapore buyers.
Bugatti Automobiles, which is owned by Europe's biggest carmaker
Volkswagen, is said to have appointed a Singapore agent for the
oft-delayed and much-hyped supercar. Deliveries for the Veyron 16.4
begin in end-2005 and will cost about $5 million after registration
taxes. But it is unlikely to be registered here because the Veyron
is only produced as a left-hand-drive car.
One of the most anticipated cars in recent times, the mid-engined
Bugatti is built in Strasbourg in the famous wine country of
Alsace. It has an eight-litre, 16-cylinder engine with 1,001
horsepower driving all four wheels. What is interesting is not its
ability to accelerate from zero to 100 kmh in a mere 2.6 seconds,
but its 0-300 kmh sprint in under 14 seconds. Top speed is quoted
at 406 kmh.
Another revolutionary feature is the seven-speed DSG direct shift
gearbox, the world's first twin-clutch gearbox with seven speeds.
All this high-tech engineering is blended into a luxurious,
vintage-like interior with exquisite leather and metal finishes.
Adding to that film noir atmosphere is a special-edition Parmigiani
watch, which tells the time from the side of the case. All very
'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow'.
Only 75 units of the Veyron will be built each year and the entire
first year's production is said to match the orders already
received. The potential appointee is said to be in the business of
selling a very exclusive line of automobiles, among others.
'This is an engineering marvel, to say the least,' said a source.
'Yet it has a very comfortable suspension for a supercar and it is
very driveable - unlike, say, the McLaren F1.'
He said the Bugatti is built to order and potential buyers will
have to pay a 50 per cent deposit upon confirmation. He added that
Bugatti Automobiles will have only two agents for the whole of Asia
- one in Singapore and the other in Hong Kong. Globally, there will
be fewer than 30.
'The Singapore dealer will be more like a commissioning agent for
Bugatti,' he explained. 'He will facilitate the sale between the
buyer and manufacturer, and each sale will be a private agreement
between them.'
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights
reserved.
I wonder who the local agent is. A good guess 'd be Auto Kulture.
Then again, there are others with more established records, Goh
brothers, Karsono Kwee, etc.
Hmm.. no agents for Japan ?? China ???
