VW Storms into Supercar Market

On October 14th a prototype of Volkswagen's new W12 Coupe in the final stages of development set the world speed record for distance covered in "24 hours". The 440 kW/600 bhp twelve-cylinder sports car covered 7,085.7 kilometres (4,402.8 miles) at an average speed of 295.24 km/h (183.45 mph). It thus toppled the previous record by a margin of twelve km/h (7.5 mph). In the Volkswagen W12 Coupe capable of 350 km/h (217 mph), which had not been specially prepared for the long-distance record bid, the team of drivers also set two other world records (over 5,000 kilometres and 5,000 miles) and six international vehicle class records. The class record for "12 hours" had already been broken in a trial run.

Wow- look out Ferrari

All world and class records are subject to recognition by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA); therefore the record-breaking drives on the high-speed circuit at Nardo near Lecce in southern Italy were carried out in accordance with the official FIA regulations. The aim of putting the vehicle through this gruelling 24-hour ordeal was to analyse the performance potential and the robustness of the twelve-cylinder engine. As can be seen from the remarkable records and the first technical analyses of the drive unit, an ideal set of the results was achieved, exceeding the defined requirements.

Just as wow from the rear

Volkswagen is showing the original record-breaking vehicle and a possible production version of this concept will be making its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show from October 24th to November 7th. Before then, however, the twelve-cylinder engine will be put to use from spring 2002 in the in the new luxury saloon from Volkswagen, internally know as Project D1. In this case the 6.0-litre engine will produce 309 kW / 420 bhp.

The W12 powerhouse

all Volkswagen Group communications and photos reproduced with permission of Volkswagen UK