'Sexy rocketship' tempts super-rich

By KATHERINE HOBY

Attention all millionaire big boys: your latest toy has arrived.

A prototype of the world's fastest car, the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, is being shown at the America's Cup Village in Auckland in the hope of enticing interest from the visiting super-rich.

Put your foot to the floor and the "sexy rocketship" will take you from 0 to 300km/h in under 14 seconds. Top speed is 406km/h, at which rate you will burn through a tank of petrol in 20 minutes.

Bugatti president Karl-Heinz Neumann said the car, which costs about $1.95 million, was "awesome" to drive - "like a sexy rocketship".

He had taken it up to 350km/h.

"When you're sitting in the seats it feels like a jet, except faster than a jet. Driving this car is so exciting you will never want to get out."

At least one New Zealander is said to be seriously interested.

Production is expected to start at the end of the year, with the first car delivered in April 2004.

Just 300 will be made, 100 of them expected to be sold to Americans and the rest divided between Europe and the Far East.

The Bugatti's 1001 horsepower is equivalent to 10 Toyota Corollas. The exterior colour and interior leather fittings can be custom-made for the buyer, and the boot includes a set of black leather luggage.

As for maintenance, "we bring the service to you".

The Bugatti is at the compound of cup legend Dennis Conner, who laughed at the idea that he might use it round town.

"Are you dreaming?" he said. "I still drive an 8-year-old truck."