The ride is stiff, even harsh at times, but the car tracks like a go-cart. The alloy wheels – 20 inches in front, 21 in back – are shod with specially designed run-flat tires that reportedly sell for $25,000 per set.

The gorgeous leather interior features unique quilted stitching and gleaming chrome accents. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

The tan-leather interior in the test Grand Sport was also quite glorious.

In public, the Grand Sport turns heads like a magnet. Everybody checks out this car, especially those who recognize it for what it is.

The first time I saw a Veyron in person was during demonstration laps at the Laguna Seca race track during the Monterey Historics a few years back, when Bugatti was the honored marque. I can’t remember which famous race driver was behind the wheel, but it zoomed past at dazzling speed.

The Bugatti's distinctive styling makes it a continuous head turner everywhere it goes. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

Even with the collection of wonderful vintage Bugatti race cars present on the track that day, the first sight of the Veyron remains memorable.

Bugatti has built just about 200 Veyrons so far in various guises, with 15 of them reportedly in the United States. Only two of the Grand Sports are supposedly in this country, including the first Grand Sport built that sold at the 2008 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction for $2.9 million, with $900,000 going to charity.

And I was driving the other one, brought to Scottsdale by Bugatti to be sampled by a handful of potential customers and auto journalists.

Yes, I was impressed, delighted and amazed. Relieved, too, when I got back to the resort with both the Bugatti and my license intact.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEEDtv.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. SPEEDtv.com fans email veteran Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at