We’re talking about actual top speeds here. Not an 'estimated' or 'simulated' figure.
So that’s a no-no to things like the glorious Cadillac Cien (sorry Gran Turismo fans), and the Lamborghini Miura Concept from 2006.
I mean, I can estimate that my old hatchback can go 300km/h, but unless I actually do it I don’t win the bragging rights. Sorry guys.
And, we’re defining 'concept car' as something that was made by a manufacturer to get public attention, or to showcase a new design language or tech at a motor show or festival.
Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650
Debuted in 2007 for the GTI Festival in Austria, the Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650 was quickly thrown together by Volkswagen engineers for the annual 'thank you' concept car showcase to the GTI faithful. Housing a massive six-litre W12 twin-turbo engine from the Bentley Continental GT, the mid-engined W12-650 was able to hit 325km/h thanks to its light body, 478kW (650hp), and high-performance bits and pieces scored from the Volkswagen AG spare parts bin.
If your memory serves you well, you should remember that the W12-650 was even featured on Top Gear. It didn't go that well.
Jaguar C-X75
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Created in 2010 for the Paris Motor Show, the 582kW hybrid-electric Jaaag gets its thrust from four electric motors - one at each wheel - and charges them via two micro turbojet engines. Nice.
Not only does it hit 329km/h, but its monstrous 1,600Nm worth of torque is more than worth a mention. 0-100km/h takes just 3.4 seconds and the apparent range is 900km. Not bad for a hybrid, though I doubt anyone's actually gone out to test that.
It’s such a shame they never made it.
Audi Le Mans Quattro, 345km/h
Oh, those lights! Probably the coolest car Audi has ever made, the Le Mans Quattro was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003 where it was met with wide praise. Not only was the 345km/h top speed impressive, but so was the tech and overall design.
A 449kW (610hp) five-litre, twin-turbo FSI V10 made sure the 0-100km/h dash was done in 3.7-seconds, with magnetic dampers supplementing the performance with decent ride quality too.
But remember, no matter how fast you go, "there's always someone out there who's a little faster than you are ...and sooner or later they're going to catch up". Apparently.
Volkswagen W12 Nardo
Yup, another one. Volkswagen AG’s cleaning up house over here.
Built under order by Volkswagen mafioso Ferdinand Piech, the 357km/h Volkswagen W12 underwent several iterations in order to reach its final 'Nardo' phase. One that would end up punching out a massive 441kW (600hp) from its six-litre naturally aspirated W12. That might not sound so insane right now, but remember, this was way back in 2001. And it only weighted only 1200kg.
Incidentally, the high-speed monster’s W12 design even went on to evolve into the W16 quad-turbo found in the Veyron. Go figure.
Ford GT90, 407km/h
Speaking of quad-turbocharged monsters, the Ford GT90 was so insanely powerful that its engine bay needed to be lined with NASA-spec ceramic tiles in order to stop components from melting. Now that’s something you don’t get on a Nissan Micra.
Debuting at the Detroit Auto Show in 1995, the 720hp Ford GT90 was mix between ‘60s style and 21-st Century tech, and with a monocoque from aluminium and body panels from carbon fibre, it certainly did the latter part justice.
Top speed was a colossal 407km/h - way back in '95!
Not bad for something with old-school 'knock off' hubs.
While the Ford GT90 is only a concept car, it still laid down some more-than-impressive performance statistics that would need more than 10-years to be beaten.
What do you think of the performance of concept cars? Do you think they should be just for show, or do they have to work as well.
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