The world’s fastest and most expensive set of four wheels, the Bugatti Veyron, on Thursday drove into the land that made the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano — making India the only country where one can get a car for as low as R1 lakh and as high as Rs.16 crore!.The irony of the situation was not lost on the Bugatti officials who were present at the launch of the Veyron Grand Sport, but the defence for bringing something as ostentatious was not without reason. India has the maximum number of billionaires outside the US, and the list is also the fastest growing. Good enough for the Veyron.
“The car is a modern statement of ultra luxury, speed and extraordinary style and India, with its growing clan of billionaires and booming businesses, is a market that is hard to ignore,” said Julius Kruta, head of tradition, Bugatti Automobiles SAS. “India is a growing market for luxury and is also the hub as the land of erstwhile Mharajas, who were true patrons of bespoke luxury.”
The Veyron, with its massive 8,000cc engine and top speed of 407 kmph, is a car that loves its exclusivity and is made only for the nouveau riche. Bugatti makes only 300 units of its models and will make only 150 of the Veyron Grand Sport. How many will actually come to India is unclear but Exclusive Motors, the official importer, said affordability was not an issue.
“India has by far the most expensive house to boot, so affordability is never an issue,” said Satya Bagla, managing director, Exclusive Motors.
“We do not have a number in mind but now the car is here and we will see how people react to it. Globally, there is a very select band of people who own a Bugatti and I am sure in India there are people who would want to be in that category.”
