IT is the ultimate gas guzzler. Bugatti has defied the trend for green vehicles by creating the world’s fastest, most expensive — and most polluting — sports car.

Boasting a top speed of 253mph and an eye-watering price tag of £700,000, the Veyron finally went into production last week with delivery of the first car expected next month.

The luxury marque, owned by Volkswagen, has already taken around 40 orders, with David Beckham, the England footballer, and Ralph Lauren, the American fashion designer, believed to have expressed an interest in the supercar.

But as petrol prices broke the £1 per litre barrier in some parts of the country, environmental campaigners attacked Bugatti for producing a vehicle that boasts an average fuel economy of 11.7mpg and spews out 574g/km of carbon dioxide (C02).

“With the threat of climate change growing, who needs a gas guzzler that can travel at more than three times the speed limit?” said Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth. “Car manufacturers should be focusing on producing greener cars.”

Until now, the Ferrari Enzo (top speed: 217mph) is thought to have been the most polluting car on Britain’s roads. It has a fuel consumption of 12.3mpg and produces 545g/km of C02, according to government statistics.

Even the Hummer, the American sport-utility vehicle loved by Beckham and loathed by environmentalists, appears to have marginally greener credentials than the Veyron.

Bugatti’s most ambitious car was due to go into production two years ago, but was delayed as engineers struggled to tame its immense power.

Customers will be offered a day of training to get used to the beast.

Some buyers have paid the full price in advance of delivery, while others have raided the bank to lay down a £200,000 deposit.

The company was originally founded in 1909 by Ettore Bugatti, an Italian artist and designer, whose motto was: “Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive.”

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