Editing Bugatti Veyron (section)

== Origins ==
{{multiple image
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| image1            = Bugatti Veyron 16.4 2.JPG
| image2            = Bugatti Veyron 16.4 1 (cropped).JPG
| caption2          = Bugatti Veyron EB 16/4 Concept, a modified version of the 18/4 Veyron
}}
In May 1998, [[Volkswagen AG]] acquired the rights to use the Bugatti logo and the trade name [[Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.]] To succeed the [[Bugatti EB 110|EB 110]] model produced under the [[Bugatti#Bugatti Automobili S.p.A.|previous ownership]], the automaker quickly released a series of concept cars whose technological advancements would culminate in the form of the Veyron 16.4.

Between October 1998 and September 1999, Bugatti introduced a series of [[Italdesign|Giugiaro]]-designed concept vehicles, each with [[permanent four-wheel drive]] and powered by the Volkswagen-designed [[W18 engine]]. The first car, the [[Bugatti EB 118|EB 118]], was a 2-door luxury [[coupé]] presented at the 1998 [[Paris Motor Show]]. The next car, the [[Bugatti EB 218|EB 218]], was a 4-door [[sedan (automobile)|saloon]] presented at the [[Geneva Motor Show#1999|1999 Geneva Motor Show]]. The third and final car, the [[Bugatti 18/3 Chiron|18/3 Chiron]], was a [[mid-engine]] [[sports car]] presented at the 1999 [[International Motor Show Germany|International Motor Show]] in Frankfurt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bugatti presents three more studies|url=http://www.bugatti.com/typo3conf/ext/bugatti_timeline/Resources/Public/feature_history/index.html?y=1998&e=0&lang=en?lang=en#|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806090034/http://www.bugatti.com/typo3conf/ext/bugatti_timeline/Resources/Public/feature_history/index.html?y=1998&e=0&lang=en%3Flang%3Den|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2017|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref>

In October 1999, Bugatti unveiled a fourth [[concept car]] at the [[Tokyo Motor Show]]. The EB 18/4 Veyron was a [[mid-engine]] sports car styled in-house under the direction of Hartmut Warkuß.<ref>{{cite web|title=France's Most Revered Marque Is Born Again|date=2 January 2002|url=http://www.motortrend.com/news/substance-style-and-1001-horsepower-bugatti-eb-164-veyron/}}</ref> In 2000, a modified version, the EB 16/4 Veyron, was displayed at motor shows in [[Detroit Motor Show|Detroit]], Geneva, and Paris. Rather than the three-bank W18 engine of the four previous concept cars, the EB 16/4 featured the four-bank WR16 engine architecture installed in every production example of the Veyron.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bugatti presents the Veyron 16.4. The only one of these concept vehicles to really hit. study|url=http://www.bugatti.com/typo3conf/ext/bugatti_timeline/Resources/Public/feature_history/index.html?y=2000&e=0&lang=en?lang=en#|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806081553/http://www.bugatti.com/typo3conf/ext/bugatti_timeline/Resources/Public/feature_history/index.html?y=2000&e=0&lang=en%3Flang%3Den|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2017|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref> Warkuß also commissioned [[SEAT]] head of design, [[Walter de Silva]], to submit a design proposal for the new Bugatti. The design was ultimately rejected in favour of Warkuß's own proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Filipponio |first=Frank |date=6 January 2010 |title=Walter de'Silva's forgotten 1999 Bugatti Concept |url=https://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/06/walter-desilvas-forgotten-1999-bugatti-concept/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Autoblog |language=en}}</ref>

The decision to start production of the car was made by the Volkswagen Group in 2001. The first roadworthy prototype was completed in August 2003. It is identical to the later series variant, except for a few details. In the transition from development to series production, considerable technical problems had to be addressed, repeatedly delaying production until September 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/249.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222041808/http://www.supercars.net/cars/249.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2013 |title=Bugatti 16/4 Veyron Preproduction |access-date=24 August 2012 }}</ref>
 
The Veyron EB 16.4 is named in honor of [[Pierre Veyron]], a Bugatti development engineer, test driver and company race driver who, with co-driver [[Jean-Pierre Wimille]], won the [[1939 24 Hours of Le Mans]] while driving a Bugatti.<ref name=bugatti_bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.bugatti.com/en/tradition/history/bugatti-stories/pierre-veyron.html |title=Pierre Veyron |date=30 November 2011 |work=bugatti.com |publisher=Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602144938/http://www.bugatti.com/en/tradition/history/bugatti-stories/pierre-veyron.html |archive-date=2 June 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012 |quote=The zenith of Veyron's racing career was his victory together with Jean Pierre Wimille in the 25-hour Le Mans race of 1939. |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The "EB" refers to Bugatti founder [[Ettore Bugatti]] and the "16.4" refers to the engine's [[W16 engine|16]] [[cylinder (engine)|cylinders]] and [[Turbocharged petrol engines#quad-turbo|quad]]-[[turbocharger]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Review|url=http://www.edmunds.com/bugatti/veyron-164/|publisher=[[Edmunds.com]]|access-date=9 July 2011}}</ref>