Although the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron are definitely the most popular models that come with W engines, the Volkswagen Group designed a supercar with this type of engine before these units appeared…
The car in question is called the Volkswagen W12 Concept Coupe and debuted at the Tokyo International Motor Show in 1997. This machine never reached the production stage, but managed to break numerous world speed records during its testing.
Beneath the sleek and aerodynamic bodywork of this mid-engined supercar is a 5.6-liter W12 unit, created from two 2.8-liter VR6 units on a common crankshaft. This monster generates 414 hp, each of which is sent through a six-speed sequential gearbox and Syncro system on all four sides.
Over the course of three years, VW developed its W12 Concept Coupe model and finally gave up on all-wheel drive, replacing it with a rear-axle drive setup. The engine has also been enlarged to six liters and fine-tuned to develop a massive 591 hp.
Eager to break the record, the Volkswagen brand set out on the famous Nardo track in Italy in October 2001. During the twenty-four-hour high-speed test, the car developed an average speed of 295 km/h, covering over 7,084 kilometers.
Engineers from the VW company then returned to the same track, during February 23, 2002. year and were able to cover 7,739 kilometers at an average speed of 322.8 km/h. When everything was ready and done, the W12 had seven world records and 12 international class records based on distance and time.