20 Years Ago VW's W12 Nardo Shattered Speed Records That Are Still Standing

Jaws dropped when Volkswagen debuted the W12 concept car at the 1997 Tokyo International Motor Show. The mid-engined beauty was a far cry from VW's sensible hatchbacks, boasting a revolutionary engine configuration. The 5.6-liter W12 powertrain was created by mating a pair of 2.8-liter VR6 engines sharing a common crank. While revolutionary at the time, the unique layout is still used in the Bentley Continental GT and set the tone for the W16 engine used in the Bugatti Veyron and the Chiron.

Over the years, the Giugiaro-designed W12 Nardo underwent several changes. A Roadster joined the fray and received a healthy power increase courtesy of a larger displacement 6.0-liter W12. Power went up to 591 horsepower, while rear-wheel drive and less weight meant it hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. But the reason behind its existence became clear when, in 2001, Volkswagen announced it would attempt to set the 24-hour speed record at the Nardo Ring in Italy.

In October of the same year, the W12 covered 4,402 miles at an average speed of 183.5 mph, shattering the previous world record. This was a remarkable achievement, considering that this was the first true test of VW's W12 engine. Despite the incredible feat, Volkswagen knew the supercar had more potential. Less than four months later, the W12 would return to the Italian speed bank.

The sleek Volkswagen not only managed to blitz its previous record, covering 4,809 miles at an average speed of 200.6 mph but also managed to set seven world records and 12 international class records at the same time. Amazingly, these records still stand to this day.

Sadly, the W12 never made it into production. At the time, Volkswagen wasn't known for premium products and the concept supercar would have proven unpopular with buyers who demand not only high performance, but heritage and pedigree too.