Car auction world record smashed

A 1936 Bugatti has sold for at least $30,000,000 (£20m) at auction, making it the world's most expensive. It dwarfs the previous auction record, set at £15.7m for a Ferrari 250 GTO in September 2008.

The Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic was bought by the Mullin Automotive Museum in California, which means it will now be seen by thousands of enthusiasts. It had belonged to Dr Peter D Williamson, a neurologist and car collector who died in 2008.

It was sold by auctioneers Gooding and Company on behalf of Dr Williamson's family - though the actual price could be anything up to $40m.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Gooding and Company President David Gooding said the car is "one of the world's most significant and valuable automobiles."

Mr Gooding would not reveal the final sale price of the car, though a source 'close to the sale' confirmed it was between $30- and $40m, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The car was first unveiled at the 1935 Paris Motor Show, with a 200bhp engine and a 123mph top speed - quite incredible statistics at the time. Dr Williamson purchased the car in 1971, reportedly for $59,000. Fashion designer Ralph Lauren owns another of the few remaining Type 57C Bugattis.

Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG

SLK 55 AMG

With its 5.5-litre V8 engine putting out an impressive 360 hp, the new SLK 55 AMG is the ultimate powerhouse in the SLK-Class. Speedshift 7-speed automatic transmission, high-performance brake system and AMG Sports Suspension combine to give an exceptional driving experience.

Eye-catching 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, twin chromed tailpipes and AMG bodystyling give the SLK 55 AMG a dynamic presence on the road. Its ergonomic AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, AMG sports seats, tactile nappa leather trim and top-quality AMG instrument cluster ensure the interior is just as impressive.

Prices

SLK 55 AMG: £51,585.00 *

* Recommended on-the-road price: these prices reflect the Road Fund Licence applicable to the standard model plus £613.93 additional costs necessary to put your car on the road. Included are a standard UK delivery charge (£489.36 incl. VAT), new vehicle registration fee (£55.00), number plates (£19.57 incl. VAT) and fuel (£50.00 incl. VAT)

VAT is calculated at the standard rate of 15.0%

Some of the Features

7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission with Tipfunction, AMG Speedshift, cruise control and Speedtronic variable speed limiter


Aerial on rear wing


AMG Alloy wheels (4) - multispoke design.
Front: 7.5J x 18 (225 / 40 tyres), Rear: 8.5J x 18 (245 / 35 tyres)


AMG bodystyling with exclusive AMG front apron


AMG high-performance braking system with composite front brake discs


AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid


AMG sports exhaust system with twin-chrome tailpipes (2)


AMG Sports Suspension


Bi-xenon headlamps incl. headlamp wash


Door mirrors - electrically operated and heated


Electric-hydraulic vario-roof


Remote boot release


Spare wheel - space saver


Tinted glass


Engine



Arrangement / cylinders / valves
V / 8 / 24


Bore / stroke (mm)
97.0 / 92.0


Total displacement (cc)
5,439


Performance



Power (hp at rpm)
360 / 5,750


Torque (Nm at rpm)
510 / 4,000


Top speed (mph)
155*


Acceleration 0-62 mph (s)
4.9


Fuel consumption (mpg)

City 16.0

Extra urban 32.1

Combined 23.5

Concept T - an innovative off-road coupe Volkswagan

Until now, no sports car has been flexible enough in terms of drive properties to allow for driving off paved road surfaces. The concept T fills this gap. The off-road coupé is equipped with wing doors and harmonises the fascination of a thoroughbred sports car with the variability of a true off-roader, thereby bringing completely new lifestyle and leisure values within reach. As you would expect from an agile sports car, the concept T is characterised by its exciting body dimensions (4079 mm / 13 ft 4 in long, 1963 mm / 6 ft 5 in wide and 1450 mm / 4 ft 9 in high). The powerful exterior also incorporates short body overhangs (front 826 mm /2 ft 8 in, rear 686 mm / 2 ft 3 in) for off-road driving as well as a large number of high-tech features.

Wing doors
The wing doors are a highlight of the body both in terms of styling and technology. When opening, they simultaneously swing outwards slightly and move upwards steeply. The advantage: getting in and out is made especially comfortable, while the doors require comparatively little space out to the side when opened.
T-bar roof and rear soft top
The two halves of the roof at the front (T-bar roof) of the concept T can be removed in only a few motions. The rear roof module is constructed as a hardtop with integrated trunk lid, but can be removed as well to reveal even more of the sky.
Front design
Seen from the front, the concept T is characterised by its V-shaped radiator grille integrated in the bumper, as well as by the eye-like headlights. The headlights "float" between the bumper and the fenders in order to emphasise the off-road character of the car. The fenders themselves have wide cut-outs. The overall effect is that the 19-inch wheels are free-standing.
Power
The concept car is propelled by a 177 kW / 241 h.p. V6 engine. This power is fed to the wheels by 4MOTION all-wheel drive in conjunction with an automatic gearbox (Tiptronic). The concept T accelerates to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 6.9 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 230 km/h (144 mph).