If Carmakers Made Speedboats, What Would They Look Like?

The answer to the question we posed in the title comes to us in the form of five different conceptual studies, all made by Russian designer Vladimir G. The drawings show proposals for various kind of boats inspired in design by Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati and Bugatti models as well from Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG Gullwing supercar. Hit the jump to see the complete gallery.

Source: Cardesign

VIDEO: 730HP Nissan GT-Rs are no Match for Bugatti Veyron 16.4

When it comes to straight-line acceleration, there are a few (if any...) street-legal cars in this world that can compete with the VW Group's 1,001-horsepower-strong Bugatti Veyron 16.4 supercar.

As you can see in this video that was most likely shot in Russia, even a pair of heavily-modified Nissan GT-Rs tuned to churn out some 730HP (or so it is claimed) are having a hard time keeping up with the Veyron. Of course, the Bugatti costs as much as two-dozen or so Nissan GT-Rs, but that's another tale for another time... For now, follow the jump to watch the clip.

Kudos to Chris for the tip!

Bound for Gotham City: Bugatti and Delahaye Hybrid Bugnotti Type 57S Roadster

Terry Cook (owner of Deco Rides in New Jersey, a company that creates Generation II Boattail Speedster bodies) wanted something special, something along the lines of a Bugatti and Delahaye. The catch, other than price, was that he wasn't willing to cut up an original.

"Starting with one of his composite bodies,...he radically modified the design incorporating styling ideas from a number of different cars, [while] the body itself was designed eight years ago for Cook by top hot rod builder/designer Chip Foose."

The enclosed pontoon fenders are drawn from '30s Delahayes, while the grille is a chopped copy of an original Type 57's grille. On top of the radiator resides a copy of a Hispano Suiza stork, and the vents on the rocker panels were stamped in steel and then bonded into place.

Power and drive train duties for the Bugnotti Type 57S Roadster come from GM's LS1 V8 hooked up to a 4L60E automatic tranny, while underneath the voluptuous curves of the boattail is a Fat Man Fabrications frame.

As for why the car is asymmetrical in profile (stainless trim on one side, pumpkin seed-shaped fender detailing on the other): "Cook loved both of the designs and figured you could only see one side of the car at a time."

Damn, is this thing pretty or what?

By Phil Alex

Via: Seriouswheels & Delahaye USA

Pebble Beach Preview: Delahaye Bella Fugura Bugnotti 57S

On its way to a debut August's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is this number one stunner: the Delahaye Bella Figura Bugnotti 57S.

Developed in concert with Revolution Design Studios and drawing inspiration from the Bugatti Type 57S, it's meant as a tribute to Jean, Ettore Bugatti's son.

The Bugnotti's carbon fiber body was crafted with help from 3G Services. Delahaye will offer "a carbon fiber finish where you can see the weave of the cloth through a clear coat. Or you can have your choice of a painted body of carbon fiber and composite, or all composite." There will be three body styles available: Coupe, Drophead Coupe, or Targa.

It will be offered as a fully-assembled turn-key model or a body/rolling chassis so owners can insert whatever crazy source of power they desire (What's that? You want a turbo-diesel Audi V12?).

No matter what's under the hood, this thing is drop-dead gorgeous.

By Phil Alex

Source: Delahayeusa , Via Seriouswheels

McLaren Boss Ron Dennis Vents over Bugatti's Veyron, Calls it "Pig Ugly" and a "Piece of Junk"

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis does NOT like Bugatti's Veyron. No really, he utterly hates it. For example, he recently call Bugatti's Veyron a "piece of junk", saying it only beat McLaren's F1 in the famous Abu Dhabi Top Gear race after ten tries.

Dennis vented a bunch in an interview with Arabian Business, and his actual words are decidedly more entertaining than mine.

"The Bugatti Veyron is a complete piece of junk. I think it is. I believe I can look at a range of women and I can see beauty in most of them, but I can look at a Bugatti and I think it is pig ugly."

"The Veyron doesn't do anything for me. I've been looking at it for years, and I don't see one single thing that makes me feel good."

Obviously not, considering it stole your company's top-speed crown...

Regarding the Top Gear drag race, he explains, "When we did the race in Abu Dhabi, we beat it off the line so many times that the film crew was getting frustrated because the outcome was supposed to be for the Bugatti to win."

"We had to do that whole thing about 10 times before it managed to get off the line cleanly and catch us up...Every time they dropped the clutch it bogged down and we were gone."

Hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion, especially when it comes to the competition (that's usually the best kind of opinion). But "pig-ugly junk"? That's a bit harsh. It's not a Sebring.

By Phil Alex

Source: Arabian Business & Reuters , Via: Worldcafans