Fascinating Look Back at Volkswagen’s W12, the Supercar Concept That was Ahead of Its Time

The Volkswagen W12 is basically a series of supercar concepts that the automaker manufactured between 1997-2001. It all started with the W12 Syncro, which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997. This vehicle had a bright yellow paint job, powered by a 5.6L W12 engine making 414 hp with Syncro four-wheel drive.

All of the W12 concepts were designed by Italdesign, including the W12 Roadster, which is basically an open-top version of the W12 Syncro, as well as the W12 Nardo. The latter was the final W12 concept produced, introduced at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. This vehicle was finished in bright orange, powered by a W12 engine producing 591 hp and 489 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to hit 62 mph in just 3.5-seconds, while topping out at 221.8 mph. On February 23, 2022, a W12 concept set a new world record for all speed classes over 24-hours at the Nardò Ring by driving for 7,740.576 kilometers (4,809.8 miles) at an average speed of 322.891 km/h (200.6 mph).