Once again, a hypercar from Adrian Sutil graced the streets of Monaco. This time, it was his limited edition Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess, of which only three were ever produced.
As part of the six-piece "Les Légendes de Bugatti" (Bugatti Legends) Edition, Bugatti resurrected the legendary Type 18 "Black Bess." Presented as a modern interpretation at the 2014 Auto China Motor Show in Beijing, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse "Black Bess" paid homage to its historical predecessor. This model, one of the fastest road vehicles of its time, laid the foundation for the future speed record holder, the Bugatti Veyron. Like the other models in this exclusive edition, the "Black Bess" was limited to only three vehicles and had a net price of 2.15 million euros.
The historical Type 18 was a milestone in Bugatti's pre-war era. Powered by an impressive 4-cylinder inline engine with a five-liter displacement, the vehicle produced over 100 horsepower. With a top speed of an astonishing 160 km/h (100 mph) for its time, the Type 18 was a true racing gem and the fastest road vehicle of its era.
Founder Ettore Bugatti himself took the wheel of the Type 18 and secured a victory in its class at the prestigious Mont Ventoux hill climb in 1912. Only seven units of this model were manufactured and sold to select customers, including the famous French aviation pioneer Roland Garros. Having successfully crossed the Mediterranean in an airplane in 1912, Garros became intrigued by the Type 18, seeking a car that could match his land speed to his aerial feats.
The modern "Black Bess" Vitesse boasts a carbon fiber body entirely finished in black. The distinctive golden accents of the historical "Black Bess" are elegantly incorporated into the modern Bugatti design. Some parts of the body are coated with 24-carat gold, including the iconic Bugatti horseshoe that gleams on the black front grille, giving the Vitesse a striking front profile. Golden stripes originate below the headlights and radiate over the front fenders, tapering off at the end of the door line.
This particular specimen is owned by former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil, who often cruises the streets of Monaco in his Bugattis, Koenigseggs, and Paganis.
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