The Veyron Killer? I Don't Think So.

2012 Shelby Supercars Tuatara (Courtesy of Jason Tang)

We might've lost the Women's World Cup to Japan (who actually needed the win), but we're determined to be the #1 country of speed. You may remember the last time Shelby and Bugatti faced off. Back then, it was the Veyron and the Ultimate Aero. While Veyron only made due with 252 MPH, the Ultimate Aero soared off with 256 MPH making it the fastest car in the world, even though it was much uglier than the Veyron. Now, it's the Veyron Super Sport vs. Shelby's newest creation, the Tuatara. The one thing I like about this car is that it looks like it will go very fast. If you look at it from a side angle, like so...

Side Angle (Courtesy of Jason Tang)

...it looks like a streamlined jet. And the front looks much better than that oblong mess that was here when the Veyron 16.4 was still around. But, as the new worldwide king of speed, I'd give it a thumbs down. I know Shelby have tried, but if I see that they've implied some science and pure engineering into building this car, I don't think they have what it takes to beat the Veyron Super Sport. And then there's the name: Tuatara. It might've come from a New Zealand lizard, or from their finest craft brewery, but it doesn't sound like a strong name that you would give to a hyper car (no offense to New Zealand of course). For example, Ferrari have the Enzo which sounds dashing and that's because the car is such a pantomime thing. Lamborghini have the Murcielago which is the name of a Spanish bull, and that name fits with that car. It's fast, it's dangerous, it's a screamer, it's mean, it's intimidating, and it demands a known presence: everything that a real bull does. Bugatti, obviously, have the Veyron, which is actually the last name to olden French racer Pierre Veyron, who was the fastest french man round the French circuit back in the day. That name fits with this car. The Veyron is undoubtedly the fastest car in the world leaving all of its competitors in Quad-Turbocharged dust. Shelby, on the other hand, had a whole book of names to choose from, even the "Ultimate Aero III", but instead they went for Tuatara, which is a New Zealand lizard. That name is neither intimidating or manly at all. Anyway, my point is, why settle for a car named after a reptile or a beer shop when you can go for a car named after one fast old french man. I'd go with that.

Pièce de Résistance

2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc

The Veyron hardtop maybe gone, but they Veyron glass top is still with us. And, to show that the Grand Sport keeps the tradition, elegance, speed, and science of the hardtop Veyron, Bugatti recently unveiled this artistic Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc. Basically it's the Veyron Grand Sport with some porcelain bits on it since it was built in conjunction with Germany's Köngliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin). So it's got some Porcelain on the exterior, interior, wheels, and filler caps. Who cares? It's still got the brilliant 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged 1001 horsepower W16 engine that will do 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds and hit a top speed of...you guessed it...252 MPH. The only difference is that the body looks like a reflective mass thanks to the strange Vinyl work. Anyway, if you have $2.37 Million and want a seriously fast car with some porcelain on it, then there you are: the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc (or GLOB as Top Gear calls it). Oh, and did I mention that this is a one-off? There's bound to be someone crazy enough to buy it.

Alas, We Bid it Adieu

2009 Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes

Today is quite a sad day in the motoring world. The beacon of speed, the record-setter, the fastest car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is officially sold out. The last of the breed was sold to a customer in Europe, the automaker said. Well, it's not all that sad because there's one more car Bugatti still makes that is still being sold with the massive 1001 horsepower Quad-Turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine, the Veyron Grand Sport. It runs as fast as the hardtop Veyron, is somewhat more exciting than the hardtop Veyron, and is much more expensive than the regular Veyron, up from $1.3 Million to $2.1 Million. But, let's be honest. If it weren't for the Veyron, the Grand Sport wouldn't even be here. Ever since 2003, it's been claiming records from former supercars like the McLaren F1, Saleen S7, and the Enzo Ferrari. It's been hailed as the most complex engineered car of all time. It was the Top Gear car of the decade for being a car that "rewrote the history books." So even though the Veyron Grand Sport will still be with us, the Veyron will always be in our hearts. It will be missed. So, what's next for Bugatti? Well, the 16C Galibier, a Veyron-shaped 4-door luxury sedan, might take shape. There have also been other reports that the car will make it's triumphant return in 2014 with more horsepower, a bigger yard stick, a bigger price tag, and a new speedometer. I'm looking forward to that.

Mega Mac

2012 McLaren MP4-12C (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

As we all know, the fastest car in the world is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. We also have heard rumors that the fastest car around the Top Gear Test Track is the McLaren MP4-12C. These are two quite excellent accomplishments for two quite excellent cars, but McLaren wants more. Rumor has it they've started up a new project known as "Mega Mac" in order to compete with the Bugatti Veyron. They say that they'll use the same Carbon Fiber monocell that the MP4-12C currently has. As for power, McLaren were thinking of putting in an 799 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 into the "Mega Mac" thanks to Ricardo. The engine will be connected to a 7-speed Dual-Clutch gearbox from Graziano allowing it to do 0 to 60 in about 2.8 seconds. Will it have enough to match the Veyron? I'm not sure, but it looks like it could be enough. We'll have to wait and see. Prices for the "Mega Mac" are estimated at about £350,000 to £400,000, so even if it's not as fast as the Veyron, it will cost 800k quid less than it. That should be good for your wallets. 

Great Achievements Deserve Great Rewards

Bijan Paxzad's Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

A couple weeks ago, as most of you fashion cravers may have heard, a fashion great, Bijan Paxzad, passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 67, just 12 days after his birthday. Born in Tehran, Iran, Bijan, like most entrepreneurs, had a dream and made it work. He was one of the biggest names in fashion. He's dressed the world's most powerful figures including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Leno, Tom Cruise, Vladimir Putin, and even Ronald Reagan. And, it seemed that he dressed the world's most powerful cars as well, because before he died, it was discovered that he customized his own bespoke Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, which is what you see above. Notice that I said bespoke because Bugatti and Bijan had a close relationship and before he died, this was their gift to him. Notice the custom colors and graphics on the car. He even put his brand name, Bijan, on the airbrake. If you were to buy this car now, it would be worth $7,000,000, and that's not only on the Veyron's behalf. Bijan, that name itself is worth over $5,000,000. The guy was really that powerful. It's a shame he went out so soon. Check out the videos below to see his work in broad daylight. Bijan Paxzad will be missed.

Veyron's Not Dead Yet!

2012 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Special Edition

The fastest car in the world is still here and isn't going anywhere for a long time. In Shanghai this week, Bugatti unveiled two new Veyrons for the public to drool at. First, there's this special Veyron Super Sport that's been decked out in Carbon Black with some iconic 20-inch 10 spoke rims. It now looks more like a slippery, streamlined jet. It still has the powerful 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged W16 engine producing an iconic 1,200 horsepower. With a 0 to 60 of just 2.5 seconds, this road jet will reach a top speed of 258 MPH, the fastest a production car has ever gone. But, if the Super Sport is too fast for you, Bugatti has another alternative.

2012 Bugatti Grand Sport Special Edition

And here it is: the Veyron Grand Sport Special Edition. Now, the Super Sport may be the fastest Veyron, but the Grand Sport is definitely the most exciting. Why? How does speeding at 220 MPH along the highway with the roof off sound? It should sound good, unless of course your face comes off before then. This car is also powered by a 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged W16 engine, but with only 1,001 horsepower and a top speed of 252 MPH with the roof secured on, and 220 MPH with the roof off. So, if you've been looking to buy a special Veyron lately, look no further. No specs on how long each model will run, but they're here now and that's all that matters.

Test Drive Unlimited 2: Double-Header

2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (Test Drive Unlimited 2)

So, if you haven't been in the TDU 2 loop lately, some new cars have come out for the game that you can now purchase, most of them being the pre-order bonuses, including the Pagani Zonda Tricolore (I already had), the Audi RS5, and, wait for it...the Bugatti Veyron SUPER SPORT!! Finally TDU fans, the day of reckoning has come. If you have $3,000,000 in your TDU account, and have $0.99, 80 Atari Tokens, or 80 MS Points in real money, head on over to the Used Car Dealer and pick your car up. Finally, you'll be able to thrash those posers who think they can drive this car correctly. You'll be able to thrash your old speed records on the highway. You'll be able to outrun the police through a plume of smoke and Quad-Turbocharged speed. You'll be able to do all that and much, much more behind the wheel of the Veyron Super Sport. I've made a batch of videos below showing some of the bonus cars you can now buy. I also created the sequel to my famous Bugatti Burning series, now that the Super Sport is here. So, now all of the cars you've desperately waited for can be yours, including the fastest car in the world. What's next? A Discovery DLC? Some new challenges? The Veyron Super Sport vs. the Ariel Atom 500? Who knows. The answers will come soon.

Shift 2 Unleashed: Review

2010 BMW 135i Coupe

So, once again, Need For Speed has decided to get under Gran Turismo's nose with their own realistic sim game. This time, they say it's the most realistic racing game ever created. You will be able to feel the tension as a you drive at 200 MPH through a narrow straight. You will feel the terror as you navigate your way through the dark while racing against other aggressive drivers. You'll sit at the edge of your seat as you battle for first place against another racer. These are just the many descriptions people have told me about the game, so, of course, I had to experience this for myself. And guess what? I did, and more!

2010 Audi R8 4.2 FSI Quattro

I played the first Shift when it came out about two years ago and I didn't really like it as much as I thought I would. The handling was no where close to realistic and the physics were a bit deformed. But, a majority of NFS fans loved it, so they brought it back. And, I'm happy to report that this game has greatly improved. The handling is still slightly drifty, but you'll be able to find grip through corners. The physics have greatly improved as well. The cars are more stable at high speeds and you'll be able to control them more. The damage models are more refined for each car which makes them better to look at. For the first time ever, wheels and bumpers will fall off instead of having your car smushed up into a cube. They've even put in the automatic features that were absent in the last game. At long last, you can see the hydraulic spoiler rise up off your Bugatti Veyron at 200 MPH. You'll be able to the airbrake flaps rise as you brake into a corner in your Pagani Huayra. I don't know about you, but that looks absolutely awesome!

2011 Lamborghini Reventon Interceptor

As for gameplay, this game is much more exciting than the old Shift. For once, you'll stand at the edge of your seat as you race for first place. The eerie journey music from 30 Seconds to Mars and Switchfoot that have been accompanied with the game also provide another level of excitement. The drivers you race against aren't your boring Gran Turismo AI that just find the racing line and drive fast. These drivers are aggressive. If they find an opening, they will take it. If you block them, they'll fight you until they leave you in the dust. You're gonna need skill, aggression, and speed if you're gonna stay in first. Speaking of speed, there are 140 cars in this game that each will deliver enough speed for every event in the game, from the beginner's level all the way to the Works Championship, and even the FIA GT1 Championship. Each car has been styled almost flawlessly by the guys at Slightly Mad Studios, from the Alfa Romeo 8C to the VW Golf Mk. I GTI. They've even included some hot pursuit cars like this Lamborghini Reventon Cop Car, the Pagani Zonda Cinque HP Roadster, and, get this, the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Study. You can even customize the 918 to look like an open top GT car. In fact, you can convert almost every car into a Works GT car if you have enough money and enough parts. You can customize everything in the car, including engine swapping your car's engine with a much more powerful car. For example, I was customizing my Audi R8 and I found out that I can swap my 420 horsepower 4.2-liter FSI V8 engine with a 500 horsepower 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine from the Audi R8 LMS. That's pretty sick, but Forza ricers have been doing this for years now.

Bugatti vs. Gumpert: a Race of the Hypers

As for online play, I am pleased to report that Autolog has been brought back for more online fun. Autolog helped make Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit one of the best online games of last year, so, of course you would expect NFS to make it better for Shift 2, and they did. Since you can tune your cars in this game, this will be key when trying to beat your friends time records or drift scores. Then again, it's all in the fingers and wrists so make sure you drive well. As far as sharing goes, you can now share screenshots taken from the game. You can even share iconic replays of one of your best races. You can also compare profiles to see who has more badges. I mean, there's nothing in this game that you can't share with friends. Sharing is caring, right?

Lexus LFA Race

When I review racing games, I try to compare them to driving in real life. I always ask myself this question: will this game help me become a better driver? My answer: yes, somewhat. There is a lot of realism to go with this game that will help you realize how dangerous racing can be if you're not careful. As far as driving goes, this game can help you become a better driver, that is if you don't mess around with it. In some ways it can't though. The handling is still too drifty and on some long curves where you're supposed to grip the racing line, you instead slide the whole way, which can get quite irritating. But, nevertheless, there is more grip in this game than in its predecessor which makes it very good.

LFA vs. Gallardo: V10 Supercar Duel

So, comparing this to Gran Turismo 5 or Forza Motorsport 3, I think Shift still has a lot of ground to cover if it wants to compete with them. But, this game has shown some potential and it definitely has taken some sips of reality. So, I'm giving this game 4.5 stars out of 5 because it's real, it's exciting, and it's much better than the last one. Well done, NFS!

Reaching Mach Speed

2008 Racer Motors Mach 5

I'm afraid I have another fictional car that has been brought to life. If you've seen the Speed Racer movie back in 2008, you've probably seen Emile Hirsch in the driver seat of this car wearing a blue shirt, leather racing gloves, a red bandana, and a helmet with an M on it. Thanks to Computer Generated Images, we were supposed to believe that the Mach 5 was a real car. The one he sat in while filming the movie was a model. But, a company known as Racer Motors brought the actual car to life.

GO! Speed Racer GO!

Believe it when I say this: this car is as fast as everyone thinks it is. Under the hood is a real 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged 1,700 horsepower V12 engine. Racer Motors says the car will do 0 to 60 in less than 2.4 seconds and over 300 MPH. Road & Track took this car to an oval circuit and averaged 271 MPH. That's faster than the fastest production car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport. The wheels are 5-spoke circles fitted with Yokohama Supercar tires. The gadgets work as well.

Buzz-saws under the bonnet

When will this car come out? How about never. Racer Motors only made one, and that one was for the museums. So, there you are: another fictional car brought to life.

A Bugatti Veyron GT-1?

2011 Bugatti Veyron Works (Shift 2: Unleashed)

Just imagine how different motorsport would be if the earth's most powerful road car, the Bugatti Veyron, ever went into the FIA GT Racing field. Astons would never be able to catch it. Maserati and Ferrari would just give up after 5 minutes. Porsche would start making an unsuccessful competitor, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, there are rules and regulations that the Veyron has to meet in order to become a full-fledged race car and it meets none of them. Bugatti had the opportunity to make the Veyron meet these requirements, but they decided not to take it, lest the car loses its title as the fastest car in the world. So, in the real world, the Veyron will always remain on public roads. But, in the Shift 2 world, Veyrons will have the freedom to be driven on public roads and full-scale race tracks whether they look standard or if they've been kitted out with this GT-1 works package. It will be quite interesting to see how many races you'll win with this car tuned to the max. You'll only experience this in Shift 2: Unleashed, coming in about 2 weeks.

Test Drive Unlimited 2: Bugatti Burning

2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Sang Bleu (Test Drive Unlimited 2)

What more can I say about the Bugatti Veyron. As Top Gear's Car of the Decade for 2000-2010, this car has wowed crowds of car enthusiasts, including me. Pure engineering at its finest: 1001 horsepower, 252 MPH, $1.5 Million. These numbers say it all. Luckily, I had enough TDU money to buy three of them, and you can see what I did with the three in my newest TDU film. Check it out below.