Bugatti Veyron: Australia's Illegal Hypercar Dream

why is the bugatti veyron illegal in australia

The Bugatti Veyron is a rare and coveted hypercar with a price tag of around $2 million. While there are a few Veyrons in Australia, they cannot be registered for use on public roads due to non-compliance with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and state-specific regulations, such as in New South Wales (NSW). This non-compliance relates to the vehicle's left-hand drive configuration and other factors, leading to the Veyron's illegal status for road use in Australia.

Characteristics Values
Reason for being illegal in Australia Bugatti Veyron does not meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs)
Other reasons Bladder fuel tank, no license plate, left-hand drive import
Cost of the car Around $2 million
Tyre replacement cost $40,000 every 2 years
Registration Cannot be registered to drive on public roads in Australia

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The Bugatti Veyron does not meet Australian Design Rules

The Bugatti Veyron is a rare and coveted hypercar with a price tag of around $2 million. While it is desirable, it does not meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which govern regular road cars in Australia. This non-compliance means that the Veyron cannot be registered or driven on public roads in Australia.

The Australian Design Rules are a set of national standards that outline the requirements for the construction and performance of road vehicles. These standards ensure that vehicles are safe for both drivers and other road users. The ADRs cover various aspects of vehicle design, including dimensions, lighting, braking systems, emissions, and safety features such as airbags and crumple zones.

One of the main reasons the Bugatti Veyron does not meet these standards is because it is a left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle. In Australia, the road system is right-hand drive, and LHD vehicles are generally not permitted on public roads due to safety concerns. While there are exceptions for certain imported vehicles under the 'rarity criterion' pathway, the Veyron's LHD configuration remains a significant barrier to its compliance with ADRs.

Additionally, the Veyron's unique features and limited production run may also contribute to its non-compliance. As a high-performance vehicle, the Veyron has a powerful engine and an advanced design that may not align with the ADRs. Furthermore, the specialised nature of the car, with its customisable specifications and limited production, means that it falls into the category of super-exotic, limited-production vehicles that often require special considerations for importation and registration in Australia.

While the Bugatti Veyron does not meet the Australian Design Rules, there are still a few of these cars in Australia. These vehicles may be used for specific purposes, such as checking repairs or preparation for registration, and may operate under trade plates. However, without full compliance with the ADRs, the Veyron remains a rare sight on Australian roads, reserved for private collections and limited to off-road use.

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Veyrons are left-hand drive

While it is not illegal to own a Bugatti Veyron in Australia, it is impossible to register one for use on public roads. This is due to a combination of the car's left-hand drive (LHD) configuration and its failure to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

In Australia, the Commonwealth Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) introduced a new pathway for certain motor vehicles to be supplied to the Australian market under the 'rarity criterion' pathway (Rule 135). This means that some vehicles, like the Veyron, may be approved for supply in left-hand drive. However, for a vehicle to be registered in Australia, it must also meet state or territory rules.

The Veyron's left-hand drive configuration presents a significant hurdle in this regard, as the New South Wales (NSW) Government, for example, does not allow modern left-hand drive vehicles to be registered within the state due to safety concerns. This stance has effectively prevented the registration of Bugatti vehicles in NSW, including the Veyron and the Chiron W16.

While it is possible that a Veyron could be registered in another Australian state or territory with more lenient left-hand drive regulations, it would still need to comply with ADRs, which the Veyron does not meet. This non-compliance is not unique to the Veyron, as other exotic cars like the Bugatti Chiron also fail to meet these standards.

As a result of these regulatory challenges, Veyron owners in Australia have resorted to using trade plates, which allow the vehicle to be used for specific purposes such as checking repairs or preparation for registration. This enables owners to drive their Veyrons on Australian roads, even if they cannot be fully registered for regular use.

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Veyrons use bladder fuel tanks

The use of bladder fuel tanks in the Bugatti Veyron is a significant feature of the car's design. Fuel bladders, also known as flexi-bags, are flexible and collapsible bags used as fuel containers. They are often made of strong and durable materials, such as synthetic fabrics, urethane, nylon-coated geomembrane, or thermoplastic material, to prevent leaks and spills. These bladders are commonly used in motorsports and are considered critical safety components due to their ability to reduce the risk of fires and explosions in the event of crashes.

The Veyron's use of bladder fuel tanks offers several advantages. Firstly, they provide a flexible storage system, allowing for easy transportation and quick setup. This flexibility is particularly useful in situations where critical infrastructure is compromised or non-existent, such as in remote construction sites or emergency relief operations. Additionally, fuel bladders can be designed in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for different vehicles and applications.

Another benefit of bladder fuel tanks is their ability to separate fuel from oxygen, preventing any reaction between the two materials. This design ensures that the bladder does not deteriorate over time and can be filled quickly without requiring additional storage space. The use of bladders also allows for the safe storage and transportation of hazardous liquids, including various types of fuel, oils, and wastewater.

While bladder fuel tanks offer enhanced safety in motorsports and other industries, their use on public roads may be subject to different regulations. In Australia, for example, there are specific design rules that vehicles must adhere to for registration and on-road use. It is important for car owners to consult with local authorities and adhere to any restrictions or permitting requirements related to fuel bladder use in their respective regions.

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Veyron tyres are glued to rims

The tyres of a Bugatti Veyron are glued to the rims. This is because the frictional forces of the bead pressing on the rim are not enough to prevent the tyre from spinning freely on the rim under the extreme circumstances it sees when braking as hard as those cars can. The tyres will melt after 15 minutes at top speed, and a full tank of gas will only last 12 minutes.

The adhesive requires replacement every 18 months to two years to ensure a good seal, regardless of whether the owner is driving the Bugatti. This is because the glue degrades over time. Plus, an owner needs to get new wheels roughly every three tire changes.

The Veyron uses Michelin Pilot Sport PAX tyres that are bespoke for the Bugatti. They're like no other rubber on the road. The PAX part of the name refers to Michelin's run-flat system that puts a polyurethane-and-rubber insert between the interior of the tyre and the wheel. If a puncture occurs, this piece is able to support the vehicle and let it continue driving. All of this tech is necessary to cope with the incredible forces that the Veyron's tyres have to endure at high speed.

The $42,000 tyre change cost is just the start of the crazy prices for maintaining a Veyron. Changing all the fluids runs owners $25,000. If you ever need to replace the fuel tank, that costs $20,000 and an additional $22,000 in labour to put it in.

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Veyrons are expensive to maintain

The Bugatti Veyron is an engineering marvel, but it comes with a hefty price tag for maintenance. The basic upkeep of a Veyron can easily exceed $50,000 per year, and that's without accounting for any unexpected repairs.

One of the major expenses is the annual fluid change, which costs around $25,000. This is due in part to the 16 drain plugs involved in the process. Additionally, the tyres on the Veyron are not your typical off-the-shelf variety. Custom-made by Michelin to withstand speeds over 250 miles per hour, a set of four tyres will set you back around $38,000 and need to be replaced every two to three years.

But it doesn't stop there. The wheels themselves need to be replaced every 10,000 miles, at a staggering cost of $50,000. And if you thought that was expensive, the fuel tank will cost you a whopping $42,000 to replace, with $22,000 of that being labour costs alone. Even filling up the 26.4-gallon tank isn't cheap, as one owner noted that his fuel bill for a trip was more expensive than a fine dining experience in Los Angeles.

Other maintenance costs can quickly add up. For example, replacing one of the Veyron's four turbochargers costs $6,400, and that's before you factor in labour, which can be substantial. An $800 camshaft, for instance, can cost upwards of $21,000 in labour due to the extensive disassembly required to access it.

With such high maintenance requirements, it's no wonder that Veyron owners need to have deep pockets. While the car may be a masterpiece of automotive engineering, the cost of keeping it on the road is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Frequently asked questions

The Bugatti Veyron does not comply with Australian Design Rules, which govern regular road cars.

While the Veyron does not comply with Australian Design Rules, there are ways to get super-exotic, limited-production vehicles into Australia, most likely as special interest vehicles.

The Australian Design Rules are a set of standards that outline the requirements for motor vehicles to be registered and used on Australian roads. These standards cover various aspects such as safety, emissions, dimensions, and other technical specifications.

Yes, there have been sightings of Bugatti Veyrons in Melbourne and Sydney. These vehicles are likely imported as special interest vehicles and may be used for various purposes, such as checking repairs and preparation for registration.

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