Ron Dennis calls the Bugatti Veyron a “piece of junk”: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 12, 2010 3:45 p.m. nderwater Reader

Before you think he's all sour grapes, listen to this:

McLaren Automotive’s Ron Dennis said a recent televised road race organised by the BBC’s Top Gear in Abu Dhabi between the Veyron and the McLaren F1 roadcar – the fastest roadcar in the world from its launch in 1992 until the Veyron was produced in 2005 – had to be rigged to make the Veyron look quicker than it was.

'“When we did the race in Abu Dhabi, we beat it off the line so many times that the film crew was getting frustrated because the outcome was supposed to be for the Bugatti to win. So we had to do that whole thing about ten times before it managed to get off the line cleanly and catch us up. Because every time they dropped the clutch it bogged down and we were gone.”

Story: ArabianBusiness.com

Video: Bugatti Veyron vs McLaren F1 - BBC Top Gear
April 12, 2010 3:58 p.m. Chris_V SuperDork

As was said elswhere, the veyron may not be beautiful, but the original McLaren wasn't all that pretty either. And the new one is just bland.

Also, the Veyron doesn't have a clutch to be dropped. It has DSG with launch control and does 0-20 in a tick over 2 seconds with ANYONE driving it.

Sounds more like:

Carmaker: "this other car that we don't make sucks. Buy ours."

Ron Dennis can trash talk the Veyron all he wants, but the MP4-12C is in an entirely different genre from the Veyron and the F1 (which themselves are in different genres) — so, no offense Mr. Dennis, but unless you have something that both competes with and defeats the Veyron in at least one area, those words don't mean much.

Actually, wait. Look at the article date...
April 12, 2010 4:02 p.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

I agree. For the money the thing cost to buy (forget the cost to make) it should be faster and better looking. To me, it looks as attractive as a gold commode.
April 12, 2010 4:32 p.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

Both cars are just plain silly, but If I won the Superball bazzillion $$$ lottery extravaganza and someone held a gun to my head and told me I had to buy a F1 or a Veyron, I'd pick the McLaren. It seems to be much more of a pure drivers car without traction control, abs, launch control, etc. Besides, it actually has a 3rd pedal.

The Veyron's engineering is amazing, but I'd rather have a car I drive, as opposed to a car that drives me.
April 12, 2010 4:34 p.m. 96DXCivic Dork

^+1 million
April 12, 2010 6:19 p.m. Chris_V SuperDork

Chris_V wrote:

Actually, wait. Look at the article date...
April 12, 2010 6:56 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

I prefer the LEGO Veyron.
April 13, 2010 11:49 a.m. nutherjrfan Reader

anyone remember the Yamaha of the Jordan era? I'm too lazy to find/post pics.
April 13, 2010 12:18 p.m. Adrian_Thompson HalfDork

nutherjrfan wrote:

anyone remember the Yamaha of the Jordan era? I'm too lazy to find/post pics.

0X99-11, codename Madonna, designed by IAD in Worthing UK.

That was my first job out of collage, specing wheel bearings, calculating airflow requirements for the radiators and going to Mira for the 1/4 and full scale wind tunnel work. Who would have thought that the interest level of my career would peak at 6 months into my working life. Sigh

Credit is normally given to Ypsilon technology, but really there were going to be the manufacturing arm. IAD did all the design work. The sound of the F1 engine was awesome. Funny aside, one of my best friends was also involved as a test Engineer and he has the dubious of credit of being the first and possible only person to have had an accident in one! All the development driving was done at night to avoid spy cameras. The car was on the handling track at MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) and he hit something and broke the suspension! At the press launch they had F1 Driver John Watson on hand. The car was fully drivable, but the gearshift was a little sticky. The idiot M.D. from Ypsilon insisted they try and fix it less than an hour before the launch, but a bolt got dropped in the trans making it immovable. So instead of John Watson driving the car on stage it was pushed on (before the press arrived) and he sat there blipping the throttle. I don't know how the guy ever kept his job!. I've got a picture somewhere of three prototypes driving at the same time.
April 13, 2010 12:22 p.m. Adrian_Thompson HalfDork

nutherjrfan wrote:

anyone remember the Yamaha of the Jordan era? I'm too lazy to find/post pics.

BTW it was nothing to do with Jordan. Jordan entered F1 in 91 and had their hands full with racing. I started at IAD in October 90 and was working on that project by late November, it died sometime in 92.

Oh, one more thing, I.A.D. by old employer built the first running Miata prototype as well! but that was before my time.
April 13, 2010 12:28 p.m. nutherjrfan Reader

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

nutherjrfan wrote:

anyone remember the Yamaha of the Jordan era? I'm too lazy to find/post pics.

BTW it was nothing to do with Jordan. Jordan entered F1 in 91 and had their hands full with racing. I started at IAD in October 90 and was working on that project by late November, it died sometime in 92.

Oh, one more thing, I.A.D. by old employer built the first running Miata prototype as well! but that was before my time.

I know. It did get a lot of coverage in the mags at the same time tho'. Boy that F1 engine sucked, poor EJ that must have been the year from hell despite having a "works" engine!
April 13, 2010 12:42 p.m. Adrian_Thompson HalfDork

nutherjrfan wrote: I know. It did get a lot of coverage in the mags at the same time tho'. Boy that F1 engine sucked, poor EJ that must have been the year from hell despite having a "works" engine!

Yup, they started in 91 with OTS Ford V8's and really impressed with some decent finishes and points. Then 92 arrives with the Yamaha engines and they basically retired 90% of the time. I'm not sure they scored a single point.
April 13, 2010 1:21 p.m. Scott Lear Production Editor

Do they celebrate April Fools in the Middle East?

Actually, based on that video, I'll believe Dennis. The McLaren KILLS the Veyron off the line, and if that was their best of 10 attempts and it was still that close, it doesn't bode well for the other 9 times. The Veyron weighs how many pounds more than a McLaren F1? About 2000?

Bugatti: about 4.5 lbs./hp McLaren F1: about 4.0 lbs./hp.

At a certain speed the Veyron will always power past the F1, but the F1 sure does seem to be more the driver's car. No power steering, low weight, naturally aspirated high-revving engine. The Veyron is a technology demo, the F1 is a driver's car. I know where my lottery money would go.