The car cost 5 million in production costs (that's not including r & d marketing etc.). VW didnt do it to make money. They did it to prove a point. Same thing happened with concorde. That was produced with massive losses just to prove it could be built. As for the engine "only" having 125 bhp per litre. 1000 reliable horsepower from an 8 litre engine is extremely impressive. How many 1000bhp cars do you see that you could drive as far as clarkson did on topgear without it even overheating? Personally I see the veyron more as a muscle car than a sports car anyway. And it's certainly got muscle.

"Maintenance will be possible at Bentley dealerships, but repair service will require a flown-in mechanic, which the company promises to be available 24 hours a day."

Just found that as well. How many cars do you know that need a mechanic to be flown to it.. love it.