Normal car terms barely apply to the Veyron. No fewer than 1,001 horses stampede forth from a one-of-a-kind 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbochargers. Mid-mounted and feeding all four wheels, the Veyron's engine uses its amazing thrust to exceed the theoretical maximum speed of F1 cars.

As if this monumental performance and sky-high-price aren't enough to assure exclusivity, the Bugatti Veyron can be customized to each customer's desire. Each body shell can be painted in two tones, with the front fenders and doors differing from the rest of the car. The interior can similarly be fashioned in two colors.

The 2009 Bugatti Veyron is an exotic sports car available as the 16.4 coupe and Grand Sport roadster. The latter has a glass roof panel (that must be removed by hand) and an accessory soft top that can be stored in the car's trunk. Standard equipment includes 20-inch front wheels, 21-inch rear wheels, specially designed Michelin run-flat tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, a height-adjustable suspension and parking sensors.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is propelled by a mid-mounted and quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine. Its 1,001 horsepower and 922 pound-feet of torque are delivered to all four wheels via a beefed-up seven-speed version of Audi/VW's excellent dual-clutch sequential gearbox (DSG). The transmission has two automatic modes -- normal and Sport -- and may also be shifted manually via paddles on the steering wheel.

To keep the elements out of the Grand Sport model, its removable roof panel features a transparent glass center that when in place can still withstand the Veyron's maximum speed. That's not the case with the accessory canvas roof, which can only be used up to a recommended speed of 80 mph. But at least it can be stored in the front trunk, retracting like an umbrella, complete with a removable pole that aids in mounting it from inside.