World’s fastest production car on the road sales in 2005, although only 225 or so sections are on order. Bugatti Veyron is finally planning to sections 300 and 150 Grand Sport roadster to make, unless the Sultan of Brunei decided to hand the favors as a party, in which case there could be many more. With time to think about what has been done by the technology in the 21st Century addicted to an old impulse to wealth and power play of expression, we draw some conclusions.

First, the Veyron never attaining the Millennium generation, the Lamborghini Countach was Gen X. The Humpty Dumpty shape do not have the malignancy in a good wall poster. And the Veyron no scissor doors.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door targa

PRICE AS TESTED: $2,128,230 (base price: $2,128,230)

ENGINE TYPE: quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 488 cu in, 7998cc
Power (SAE net): 1001 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 922 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 106.7 in Length: 175.7 in
Width: 78.7 in Height: 45.1-47.4 in
Curb weight: 4750 lb (est)

C/D TEST RESULTS (VEYRON 16.4 COUPE)*:
Zero to 60 mph: 2.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 11.3 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 3.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 10.1 sec @ 142 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 253 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.00 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 8/14 mpg

Behold the 370Z convertible. Like the 350Z, it derives from a fastback coupe. But this convertible—which originated at Nissan Design America in San Diego—was more thoroughly baked into the new Z’s development program. The result is a design that’s much more integrated, much less a slab-sided afterthought.

In addition to its good looks, the new convertible is also easier to live with. The seating position is a little higher than before, providing a better view of what’s going on ahead. (Being in the command center in the previous Z-vertible was like sitting in a foxhole.) With the top up, the view straight astern is also improved, though here the distinction is academic, and as with so many convertibles, the rear-quarter sightlines are blind.

As you’d expect, the top is power operated—one switch does it all. It clamps itself to the windshield header with a resounding whack—a little too resounding, maybe, which also goes for the hard tonneau when the top stows itself. On the other hand, it’s at the high end of the cloth-top quality scale: nicely lined and better than many at damping wind noise.