Time is an inevitable casualty of technology. No matter how much time it promises to save, it seems that technological advances always end up consuming more time. The issue is responsibility. A bit of technology might be convenient, but it adds another responsibility to your life. One more thing that you have to learn and use; one more thing to divert your attention from your other responsibilities.
Sitting in my room last night debating this paradox, I started to consider the exceptions, the advancements that speed us up. A few things came to mind, but only one set of technologies created a sort of linear group capable of mentioning easily: vehicles.
Some devices of modern travel is border on science fiction. Whether you’re traveling by land, by air or by sea, there are vehicles capable seemingly impossible speeds. I’m not talking about government vehicles either. We all know of jets and rockets that can fly an inconceivable speeds. I managed to find three vehicles that money can buy (lots and lots of money).
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Of the group, the closest to earth is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. Costing just under $1.5 million, the Veyron is the fastest and most expensive street legal car currently in production. Capable of 0 - 60 in 2.5 seconds, this 2-ton monstrosity tops out at 253mph.
It requires a special key to activated breakneck speeds. Once activated the car lowers itself closer to the ground and retracts its spoiler to reduce wind sheer. Once engaged, the Veyron’s quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16 is capable of cranking over 1000 horses.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Cessna Citation X
Since the retirement of the Concorde, the Cessna Citation X has assumed the honor of being the world’s fastest civilian aircraft. The Citation X can ascend to an altitude of 43,000-feet and reach a top speed of Mach 0.92—about 587mph.
It can cover a distance of about 3800-miles and is capable of flying from New York to Los Angeles in just over four hours. Speed doesn’t come cheap though. Expect to pay about $20 million for a new one.
118 Wallypower
While the 118 Wallypower yacht isn’t the fastest boat in the world, it’s certainly one of the swankest and given its size, its speed is rather ridiculous. Measuring 118-feet and weighing a massive 95-tons, the 118 is capable of achieving speeds of 70mph.
This is made possible by three Vericor gas turbines connected to Rolls Royce Kamewa water jet that generate a total of 16,800-horsepower. The 118 stores 5812-gallons of fuel and consumes 14-gallons every minute at its top speed—that averages to about 951-gallons per hour.
If you have enough money for that fuel bill and think the Wally is right for you, be prepared to plunk down $25 million for the yacht. Luxury ain’t cheap.
I don’t know about beating the top speed, but for $13-14k you can get a Suzuki Hayabusa (motorcycle) that will keep up with the Veyron, at least from 0-60. Tack on a supercharger and the Hayabusa will *beat* they Veyron by .7 seconds I believe. All that speed and acceleration at 1/100th the cost
But, Mike, if you are going to go 235 mph, wouldn’t you like something between you and the pavement besides a nice set of leathers? At least you get seatbelt for $1,495,000 more or so.
I also have to wonder where 235 mph is “street legal”. Nevada? Germany?
… people stop and look at the Bugatti Veyron, the Hayabusa is quick but still it’ll just be another motorbike.
The obvious one is Space Ship One..
top speed Mach 3.09 ( 2185 mph)
$25 million development cost (which would you rather have, the yacht or the space ship).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne
The yacht…
the space ship is just another space ship…
but the wally… *now that is art*
You should take a look at Lingenfelter Corvettes, they can produce upwards of 1038 hp for about 225k. A few years ago Motortrend tested a C5 lingenfelter that did 0-60 in something like 2.67 seconds and had a 9 second 1/4 mile time at 155 mph.
The Veyron is a car for someone who has a lot of money to spend and does not know anything about cars.
Still the Ariel Atom 2 is one of the top street toys.
Who can say that 0-60 in 2.9 seconds isn’t fun. And with the ability to actually go round corners at high speed, unlike the Veyron, means you can do so much more.
Also $35,000 pounds is a little more in the price range of the average speed freak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhm244KqCDI
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cars/%3Cbr%20/%3Ehttp://www.jalopnik.com/cars/clips/the-worlds-quickest-streetlegal-car-is-a-vauxhall-victor-209029.php
That’s the fastest street legal car, that I know of does 0 to 60 in one second. Not 3, not 2, one. I think the guy said it cost him somewhere around 100k Pounds to make.
I agree with Jonathan about the Lingenfelter Corvette. Also, you should take a look at the Koenigsegg CCR.
Not CCR, rather CCX :) Second to the Veyron with top speed of 248+mph. Better than any Merc or Porsche out there.
Street legal means it can be driven on the street legally, it conforms to all safety and emission standards. Not it is legal to go 2000 miles per hour on the autobahn, if that was the case it would be autobahn legal.
You could check out the website below to see what Callaway did with Corvettes in 1988. Lingenfelter drove Callaway’s car at over 254mph back then. The C4 Corvette had a 350 Chevy engine that put out 880hp and 772lb ft of torque while maintaining mileage of 10 city and 19 highway. It’s an ugly Vette with only decent acceleration compared with cars today. Today’s C5 Z06 is still the most bang for your buck out of the factory today.
http://www.fastcoolcars.com/callaway_sledgehammer.htm
kyro.. $35,000 pounds?
Heffner Twin Turbo Viper
1,900 HP
1/4 mile: 7.99 sec. at 177 MPH :)
Hate to upset Mike, but the bike would only be good on the straights. Have a corner and the car gets away. How do I know, well Top Gear in the UK had TWO competitions car versus bike and bike lost on both occasions.
Then a mate had a ‘race you to the motorway’ (VERY, late at night/early morning). It was drizzling slightly and despite being armed with some bonkers race bike. I had a Lancia Delta Evo 3 and pasted him. Reason; three tight bends and two round abouts. He was doing fine until the first corner, then I passed him and never saw him again…. until I stopped and waited for him that is.
Price of Lancia Evo? Approx $15k (now that is)