The long-awaited Bugatti Veyron has inspired a seemingly endless stream of gossip since it was first shown in prototype form nearly four years ago. And the rumor mill continued to churn, even as the first running version of the 16.4 supercar took its laps at the Laguna Seca raceway during the annual Monterey Historics. The Veyron led a mother lode of classic Bugatti race cars on their parade lap — briefly spinning off when it entered the track’s deadly hairpin turn a wee bit too fast.

                           Legend and lore

Considering the legend and lore that surrounded the original Bugatti brand, all the attention is probably not surprising. Founded by Italian industrialist Ettore Bugatti, the French automaker produced just 6000 vehicles between 1909 and 1956, and today, those that survive are among the most valuable collectibles on the market.

                             Basics and Bugs

          Here are the Bugati's basics. As the name suggests, the Veyron 16.4 is an 8.0-liter, 16-cylinder engine — essentially two VW W-8s combined — with four sequential turbochargers. It will not only make the promised 1001 hp, asserts Keller, but “You can pump it up to more.” Torque comes in at 1250 N-m.

     If you’re trying to find some sort of reference point for all that muscle, think a top speed to an estimated 254 mph. Bugatti hasn’t even bothered to calculate 0-60 times. But you’ll get from 0-300 km/h, or about 188 mph, in less than 14 seconds.

    The price tag remains where it’s always been, according to Keller, a flat 1 million Euros, plus tax. With the shift in the exchange rate, that’s bad news, of course, for American drivers, who are expected to make up half the market. But then again, those who have to ask about such things likely couldn’t afford the Veyron 16.4 anyway.

    Should a buyer desire, Bugatti will customize just about anything, as long as it meets local government regulations. The top option is likely to be the rather large diamond that can be mounted within the speedometer.

      And working with its sister division, Bugatti International, the automaker has assigned a select few luxury partners the right to produce matching accessories to compliment the new car. These include diamond jewelry, a $70,000 watch, and a collection of eyewear. Those glasses feature a microchip that contains data about the wearer’s vision. Break a pair or need a new look? No problem. The chip will help your local optometrist grind the precise prescription.

                                      Euro debut

     The first of the reborn Bugattis will hit the pavement next April in Europe, and something during the second half of 2004 here in the States. The plan is to produce about one a week, with total production limited to 300. Keller insists VW has already received a sizable number of advance orders, many buyers specifying precisely which of the numbered models they want. Numbers 299 and 300 are already accounted for. And Keller won’t say who’s taking deliver of number one.

     Since taking the reigns at Volkswagen AG more than a year ago, CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder has made it clear a lot of things are going to change. And virtually everything, as the cliché goes, is on the table. According to the grapevine, that starts with the horrendously costly Bugatti project.

    “I don’t know the answer,” insists Keller, “but I would be extremely surprised if VW invests as much…and then just gives it up. Image-wise, it would be a huge blow to the company. We would be the laughing-stock of the industry. I think it would be daft if we didn’t continue.”

     Barring the possibility that comment might get Keller an early retirement, he suggests that it’s approaching the time when VW will actually have to start laying out plans for a replacement for the limited-run Veyron. He’s content to leave speculation about such plans to the rumor mongers.