French

So, in the continuing saga of the Bugatti lake crash footage that we showed the other day, new details have just emerged. In a strange twist of fate, we have learned that the driver was Andy House, who just happens to own Performance Auto Sales, a company that actually restores wrecked exotics for resale. Is this starting to sound a little too much like the Balloon Boy incident?

In any case, he bought the 2006 Bugatti Veyron EB for $1.25 million last month and it was fully insured. But let me ask you this... How come it only costs $8,000 per year to insure a Bugatti (according to the article) but my 7 year old Acura runs me $3,600 in the state of California? ...Sorry to digress. What's really cool is that some unenlightened motorists (who thought it was a "Lambo") caught the actual crash on their video cam. And we didn't see no stinkin' pelican. Check out the footage after the jump. Beware, due to excessive swearing it is NSFW, so turn the volume down.

After a very long wait, the Bugatti Galibier 16C Concept has finally landed on US soil, making its public debut in Los Angeles. Let's just cut to the chase; this is the greatest sedan ever made. Sure it has its blemishes and it won't keep up with a CTS-V on the 'Ring, but as a whole it is simply incredible. I have since forgotten that other luxury cars even exist. I know there's one that starts with an “R”... 

So, what's our take? The body of the Bugatti Galibier looks like a stone polished by hundreds of years in a stream. The long hood reminds us of the incredible cars of the 20's, 30's and 40's. Back then, the hood made room for big engines, but it became a symbol of luxury, like a procession arriving ahead of a king. The profile rises early then slowly wraps around into the tail like a coupe. Even the hydraulic wing seems soft. The split rear window is a rare but wonderfully timeless cue.

For quite some time now there have been rumors of a four-door supersedan from Bugatti. Previously referred to as the Bordeaux, we now know that this new potential offering will be dubbed the Bugatti Galibier Concept. "Galibier" is the name of one of the most treacherous stretches of alpine roadway along the Tour de France. But it also was a version of the Type 57 C that was built between 1937 and 1940. This new concept is definitely a re-invigoration of this stellar saloon.

The Bugatti Galibier Concept was just unveiled in all its glory at the conclusion of the company's 100 year celebration in Molsheim, France. This vehicle is designed to be "the most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four door automobile in the world." And it looks like it has accomplished its goal. That said, the President of Bugatti indicated that this concept is just one of several models the company is considering going forward.

The Bugatti Veyron has had its fair share of special editions including the Pur Sang, Sang Noir, Bleu Centenaire, Fbg Par Hermès along with aftermarket creations like the Linea Vincerò by Mansory. There have also been many other one-off custom jobs sanctioned by high rollers in the Middle East. But the Grand Sport, which is the new targa-top model of the Veyron, has, until now, been left out of the unique variations game. However, debuting at Pebble Beach this weekend during Monterey Car Week, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport "Sang Bleu" will be unleashed on the world. This is fitting since the original Grand Sport (chassis 001) was unveiled at the Concours d'Elegance last year. It then went to auction by Gooding & Company and sold for $2.9 million.

Last year, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the GTbyCitroen was unveiled in concert with the folks from Polyphony Digital, the creators of the award winning Sony PlayStation game Gran Turismo 5. This far-out ride came about from a collaboration between Citroen designer Takumi Yamamoto and Kazunoria Yamauchi, the head of Polyphony Digital. The Citroen GT was the fruit of their labor but was only supposed be a virtual car for the video game itself and never actually destined for the road.

In a country where it was not uncommon for cars to be "dipped" in platinum, silver or gold just a few years ago just for differentiation, the car craze in Dubai has not dulled. High-end exotics are still only desireable if they are new, unique or in short supply. Most wealthy locals trade in their supercars every 2 years. So, it's no surprise that many of the world's most expensive production cars, the Bugatti Veyron, seem to repeatedly surface in special limited editions in Dubai. 

The images seen here were taken at the Mall of the Emirates. This Veyron is painted in French Racing Blue, is lined with chrome strips to match the chrome wheels, has Ettore Bugatti's namesake plated on the door sills and panels along with some special treatments in the interior. 

It's hot, it's French, and yes, it's the 2009 Renault Megane Trophy. First shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the newly revised auto features a V6 3.5-liter powerplant that has been bumped up to 360 bhp. Renault claims that with the new aerodynamics and tweaked engine,  their Megane Trophy can keep up with a Porsche GT3. 

Renault Sport incorporates the same mechanicals from the current car which features a FIA-homologated sports-prototype tubular chassis, a semi-automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, an adjustable double wishbone suspension along with 18-inch wheels and Michelin tires.

One bummer, the Renault Megane Trophy is only available as an upgrade kit for existing cars and modification must take place at the factory in Alpine factory in Dieppe. And as a single-seater, no hot French girl will be able to ride along with you...