Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse WRC edition

To commemorate the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse becoming the world's fastest open-top car, Bugatti has revealed a special “World Record Car” edition of the Vitesse at the Shanghai Motor Show. And on hand to unveil the car was Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves and the man behind the wheel for the successful record attempt, Chinese businessman and amateur racing driver, Anthony Liu.

The record was set when Liu hit a maximum speed of 254.04mph on a run at the Volkswagen Group’s Ehra-Lessien proving grounds. The 8.0-litre W16 engine in the Grand Sport Vitesse produces 1,184bhp and 1,500Nm of torque, but also uses a specially developed roof spoiler and intricate windbreak to ensure the cabin remains calm even at very high speeds.

Speaking about his record Liu said: “This was a very exciting moment. The car even at such high speeds is incredibly comfortable and stable. With an open top, you can really experience the sound of the engine and yet at even higher speeds I did not get compromised by the wind”.

Finished in an iconic orange and black colour scheme, only eight of the “World Record Car” editions of the Grand Sport Vitesse will be made available, with each car costing around £1.7m before taxes.

The Veyron coupe was stripped of its title as the world’s fastest production car recently by the Hennessy Venom GT, which managed 265.7mph.

We also spoke to Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Schreiber at the show, who quashed rumours that an even more powerful ‘super-Veyron’ is on the way: “We still have 65 open top Veyrons to sell, with a year of orders to fulfill, so we’re in no hurry to decide what comes next,” Schreiber revealed.

“Whatever comes next, whether it’s a four-door or another sports car, one thing is for certain, we can’t disappoint our customers. Luckily we have produced all sorts of cars in our past, so we are free to do whatever we like.”