Product: When you’re top of the heap people take notice, and that’s exactly what the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is — top dog in the car-world kennel. Autoart knows that makes the Veyron a prime candidate for a stunning die-cast model.

Bugatti is a French exotic car maker that has been turning folks’ heads with its designs since 1909 and now that it’s owned by the German giant, Volkswagen, it has the cash to turn out world beaters, like the Veyron.

Two key facts: Veyron is the most expensive production car in the world at roughly $2.6 million and the fastest in the world at 267.85 mph in Super Sport trim, otherwise it’ll only do 253.52 mph. Slacker!

That’s because the mid-engined exotic sports a 16-cylinder, 8.0-liter four bi-turbo engine that creates 987 horsepower. The Super Sport makes 1,184 horses, if you were wondering why it’s faster. Bugatti basically puts two V-8s together in a W format that features 64 valves and then hooks it up to an all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed computer controlled gearbox. A driver uses paddles behind the wheel to shift in just 150 milliseconds.

The numbers are simply staggering with three engine radiators, three heat exchangers for the turbos’ intercoolers and more. No wonder Autoart took up the challenge to create a 1:18 version of the Veyron in a special two-tone sprintblue matte and sprintblue gloss color scheme designed to mark Bugatti’s 100th anniversary.

Performance: What makes this model special? Start with 383 separate parts assembled to near perfection, including a chrome-plated grille, tubular engine air scoops that protrude through the engine cover and peek out above the roof, plus chrome door handles and exhaust pipe ends.

Naturally the hood and doors open, but the engine cover is fully removable to expose the highly detailed blue and black engine. The rear spoiler works too, so the model can be posed as if it’s at full speed.

Autoart uses photo-etched grilles for all air intakes and outlets, fine work that gives the car a realistic look. Roof
trim stripes and outside mirrors are anodized aluminum and the spectacular wheels are chrome-plated and feature red Bugatti brake calipers behind them and resting on black drilled disc brakes.

Veyron, named after French racer Pierre Veyron, winner of the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans, also has a gorgeous interior. Thanks to a large windshield and sizeable side windows it’s easily viewed without opening the doors. But inside, the dash is beautifully detailed with full instrumentation, a realistic shift lever and steering wheel. There are even air vents visible atop the doors for clearing side windows. The "snow-beige" seats look like leather and there are real cloth seat belts with photo-etched buckles.

Marketing: This is a high-end die-cast for your most discerning collector and taking orders up front might be wise. But if you stock one of these beauties you’ll want to prominently display it in a case (you don’t want fingers on this one), with doors and bonnet opened.

This is an inspirational and "aspirational" model. Not everyone can own one, just like the real car. Use it as a centerpiece for other fine 1:18 or 1:43 scale cars. Autoart has a huge selection, so you can stock a variety of other Bugattis and exotics that a broader cross section of your customers can more readily afford.

Also, if you have a TV in the store and can tape or DVR an episode or two of the BBC’s awesome Top Gear TV show, you could have that running in the display area to hook casual shoppers. The show named Veyron its Car of the Decade!

VITAL STATS
Product: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Blue Centenaire 2009
Maker: Autoart
Scale: 1:18
Stock No.: 70951
MSRP: $204.95
Availability: Gateway Global; call 866-288-6278 for sales information

BOTTOM LINE
Exotic supercar
Spectacular detail
Major "Wow!" factor