Volkswagen looks back on its successful past with these 6 vehicles that broke a record

The renown some brands enjoy today is no coincidence; it is the result of a past filled with successful models and remarkable achievements. Volkswagen, one of the most influential names in the automotive landscape, wanted to share a piece of its history with us, recounting some of the records achieved by the people from Wolfsburg. To claim the title, the German brand developed a specific vehicle for each and every one of the trials it entered, once again demonstrating its strength in all kinds of circumstances and across any type of segment or car.

We all witnessed how the German firm claimed a new record at Pikes Peak with the I.D R, a 100% electric supercar. However, before taking on that feat, Volkswagen had to build a past that gave it the knowledge and experience to face today’s new challenges and different trials that demand a sharper insight that can only be gained over the years.

A successful past

Today we can see vehicles of the caliber of the Bugatti Chiron or the new Koenigsegg Jesko going head to head to prove which is the fastest. Yet not long ago it was Volkswagen that managed to win a similar title, something made possible by one of the most extravagant prototypes: the W12 Nardò.

It was on the very circuit from which it takes its name that this German-origin supercar set a new record that still stands to this day. Thanks to its W12 engine and 600 CV of power, the W12 Nardò set a new record by running for 24 hours at an average speed of 322.89 km/h.

But it wasn’t only the most radical creations from Volkswagen that reached glory, as the illustrious Lupo demonstrated. That name belongs to one of the brand’s most successful city cars, which, thanks to its 3L TDI engine, set a new fuel economy record. To be more specific, the Volkswagen Lupo fitted with that engine covered a total of 33,333 kilometres spread across 22 countries and recorded an average consumption of just 2.38 litres per hundred kilometres.

Golf, Corrado and Beetle: three models that also tasted glory

Other models as iconic as the Volkswagen Golf, Corrado or Beetle also had their moment to break records. To be more specific, the Golf known as “Alaska-Tierra del Fuego” is one of the oldest units of all, as it was built in 1974. With that same car, a total of 30,517 kilometres were covered from Alaska to Argentina, becoming the longest trip in history at the time.

In 1988, two Volkswagen Corrado G60s broke six records at the Volkswagen test facility in Ehra-Lessien. At the same time, a three-wheeled prototype covered a total of 1,492 kilometres on just one litre of diesel. Last but not least, we must highlight the Beetle, a vehicle that became the best-selling car in history in 1972, which is why the German firm developed the special 1302 S “World Champion” edition.

All of these vehicles will be on display at Techno Classica in Essen, Germany. The event will take place between 10 and 14 April, with more than 1,250 exhibitors spread across the 120,000 m² of the venue where this high-profile event, so beloved by motoring enthusiasts, will be held.