THE TECHNIQUE AVANTGARDE VW W12 Coupé sets 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 Coupé 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.

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, explains VW.

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 24 to November 7.


FACTS
· VW W12 Coupé breaks 24H speed record
· Close to production prototype
· Average speed of 295.24 km/h
· Mid engine sports car
· W12 engine
· 600 bhp
· 350 km/h

TOMORROW
The News of the Day at sportscartesting.com: All about the latest street version of the VW W12 – now the prototype is very close to production.


Images
The black record holder working at the Nardo Oval in Italy. The W12 engine. The street version of the car.