Luxury File

The item: A Bugatti Veyron 16.4, one of 300 that are being sold worldwide. This is simply the fastest and most expensive production car in history. Expect to wait months for delivery and pay between $1.4 million and $1.5 million. Expect to be the object of major envy.

What makes it special: It’s eye-popping—in every way. Behind the two seats inside a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 are two V8 engines joined at a 90-degree angle to pump 1,001 horsepower through a seven-speed automatic transmission delivering power to all four wheels. This road rocket rips zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to a precise 252.3 mph. It is far faster than any production car in history and even faster than today’s super motorcycles. If you have to ask, it gets about five miles per gallon of premium gasoline around town. There are 10 radiators in a Veyron, and if it has a problem, a mechanic flies in from France to fix it within 24 hours. It’s named for French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1939 while racing a Bugatti.

Behind the brand: Volkswagen AG owns Bugatti, a marque with a history of unbeatable racing cars in the 1920s and 1930s. This Veyron model began about five years ago as a concept car, shown at auto shows to demonstrate advanced technology. VW will lose an astounding $8 million on each car sold, when development costs are taken into consideration. The "profit" comes when features of the Bugatti Veyron are adapted to other Volkswagen AG products.

Who has one: The impossible mission of buying one was a challenge actor Tom Cruise couldn’t turn down. He drove one to the première of his newest Mission: Impossible movie and had trouble opening the passenger door for his beloved Katie. The wife of former VW president Ferdinand Piëch was stirred by one, not shaken, and demanded number 007, which she now owns. Fashion designer Ralph Lauren bought one in all black (Bugatti Veyrons are usually two-tone).

Where to buy: There are 20 dealerships worldwide and Florida’s Braman Motors in Miami is one of them. A Braman salesman said they have "sold a few." ... Three or four? ... "More than that." ... Who bought them? "Can’t say. That would violate their privacy." ... How much? ... "Between $1.4 million and $1.5 million." So there you have it. Drive a hard bargain and you might get one for $1,440,000. Braman Motors is located at 2020 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.