Ultimate Bugatti sets speed record

With the Guiness Book of World Records on hand, the ultimate version of the Bugatti hypercar, the Super Sports, set a record of 267.81mph (431kph).

Bugatti’s official test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel took to Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessian high-speed oval with the first Super Sports to see what it could do.

With output bumped up from 1001hp to 1200hp, torque to 1106 pound-feet and a revised aerodynamic kit, Raphanel managed runs of 265.9 and 269.8mph for an average terminal velocity of 267.81mph and a new world record for a production car.

The first five production Super Sports will sport the same black and orange finish as the record car, and all production models will be electronically limited to 257.9mph to protect the tyres.

The Veyron Super Sports will be publicly shown for the first time at the Pebble Beach in August.