Bugatti Veyron Vitesse Rafale (2012)

Since its launch in 2005, the Bugatti Veyron has secured its place as one of the greatest technological achievements in automotive history. With projected performance figures of over 1,000hp and a top speed of 250 mph thought to be impossible on the road, engineers at Bugatti had to deliver a whole new approach to automotive design. To deliver the monstrous 1,000hp figure, two Audi V8 engines were coupled together to create a W16 engine. As if that wasn't already enough, then engine was then dressed with four turbochargers for good measure. The result ensured the 1,000hp mark was reached and more.

It wasn't just power that would deliver the tremendous top speed however. After initial testing at Sauber's F1 wind tunnel, the Veyron was coming up shy of the 400kph target but again the Bugatti engineers would take a different to approach to overcoming the problem. Rather than compromise the visual design of the car, Bugatti introduced active aerodynamics and suspension. At 137mph the nose of the car is lowered by 2 inches and the rear spoiler adjusted to slide into the slip stream. To achieve the monstrous top speed, you must first insert the "Top Speed Key" lowering the car further still and allowing the rear wing to retreat back into the lowered position thus reducing drag.

Steadily approaching 20 years since first launch, the Bugatti Veyron still continues to set benchmarks in the automotive industry and when compared with the latest run of hybrid hypercars, it is no slouch. A true triumph for both Bugatti and Volkswagen alike the Veyron redefined what is physically possible in a road car.