Volkswagen W12
by Sam Livingstone

Four years ago at the Tokyo motor show Volkswagen surprised everyone by unveiling a mid engined concept car designed by Ital Design. Apparently conceived by Ferdinand Piech, the enigmatic chairman of the Volkswagen group, to spearhead a brand that had only just launched the new trendsetting Mk4 Golf .

At the time of this concept's launch it was percieved to be no more than a concept. Statements are often made about how this or that concept car could or might make production, but the concensus was that humble Volkswagen didn't look to be the obvious brand to make a fresh foray into the supercar market.

Audi, Volkswagen group's then leading premium sporty brand, had shown mid engined concept cars with the Spider and Avus, yet neither of these made it to production. So when a spider version of the original Volkswagen concept was shown a few years later and it was announced that a production car would follow, it surprised many observers. This is the background to the new production W12 Coupe launched at this years show, and in many respects the product is more significant politically than it is for its design.

The W12 Coupe has been through an extensive development programme culnimating in it setting the world speed record for distance covered in 24 hours at an average of 183 mph in October. This 6 litre, 12 cylinder, 600 horse powered 1200kg supercar is capable of 217mph and 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, figures only eclipsed by the Maclaren F1, which is no longer in production.

Under the stewardship of Fabrizio Giugiaro, the design has altered little from the original concept. It has a slightly longer than usual, generic mid-enginned supercar silhouette, and clean, reserved, and thus typically Volkswagen, surface language and detailing. Despite this apparent lack of change, every surface of the car has altered as the aerodynamic performance has been developed, something that only the subtle low front and side splitters, long and slowly tapering rear tail with abrupt verticle cut off, small adjustable rear spoiler and rear diffuser, are testimony to.

The W12 will be the fastest production car of its day when it goes on sale, and shall likely prove to handle and perform better than any comparible product in extremis. Being a Volkswagen it shall also have to be of exceptional quality. But will it ever be considered as fuel for the fire of moneyed consumption? Will a Volkswagen, even a 600 horse power Volkswagen designed in Italy, ever really be a supercar?