Sometimes even the experts get it wrong.Just look at the 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse "Jean-Pierre Wimille." RM Sotheby's expected the gorgeous example of the marque's first modern hypercar to sell for $3 million at its Zurich this past weekend. Instead, it went for a record-setting $5.4 million.More from Robb ReportThis $18.5 Million Apartment in Lower Manhattan Was Once F.W. Woolworth's OfficeA Rare Floating Home in San Francisco Lists for $1.7 MillionArdbeg's New 15-Year-Old Whisky Is the Best Smoky Scotch of the Year So FarThe Veyron Wimille went up for bid this Saturday. Prior to the event, RM Sotheby's had stated that it anticipated the vehicle, which is named for and pays tribute to the first driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, would sell for between 2.4 million CHF and 2.8 million CHF, or roughly $2.88 million to $3.36 million, according to Motor1.com. But, when bidding was complete, the stunning W-16 ended up hammering at 4.5 million CHF, or $5.4 million.Not only did the final gavel price exceed the high-end estimate by nearly 40 percent, but it also more than doubled the public auction record for the hypercar. The previous record-holder was a one-off Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu that sold for 2.35 million in 2024.Unsurprisingly, the most expensive Veyron is a special vehicle. Chassis no. 795063 is one of just three examples of the Jean-Pierre Wimille variant that were built. It features a unique colorway combining light blue with dark blue exposed carbon-fiber accents that was inspired by the Type 57G Thank that Wimille drove to victory at the inaugural installment of endurance racing's biggest event. That is one of just several details that pay tribute to the legendary driver, though. The interior, which features the same light and dark blue combo as the exterior, features Wimille's signature embroidered into each headrest, door sill plates decorated with his portrait and signature, and the Le Mans track layout engraved onto a relief inlaid into the center console.Just as impressive is the vehicle's 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16. The gargantuan mill is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and makes 1,167 hp and 1,100 ft lbs of torque. The Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 233 mph.So, how long will the Veyron Wimille's record stand? The previous one lasted for two years, but don't be too surprised if the sale of this example gives the owners of the other two cars ideas.Click here for more photos of the 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse "Jean-Pierre Wimille."Best of Robb ReportThe 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine BeastThe World's Best Superyacht ShipyardsThe ABCs of Chartering a YachtSign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Click here to read the full article.
