Volvo's new S60 T5 sports saloon has smashed no less than 18 British Land Speed Records including the 24 hour record for highest average speed. This record, achieved in Production Car Class D (2000-3000cc) saw the S60 T5 averaging no less than 135.10 mph over the 24 hour period and collected 17 other records on the way. the previous record, set in 1983, stood at 225.35 mph, so it has been well and truly shattered. All these records are subject to ratification by the RAC MSA, who timed and observed the event, bit this is expected to be a formality.
The records were broken on the High Speed Track at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on the 14 and 15 October. The project was a joint production involving Volvo, Prodrive - which prepared the car and co-ordinated the attempt - Car magazine, Channel 4's Driven and Channel 4's website www.4car.co.uk.
Drivers of the victorious car included British Touring Car Championship contenders Anthony Reid Rickard Rydell, John Cleland and Alain Menu, as well as Channel 4's Driven presenter Mike Brewer and journalists from Car Magazine.
Some of the other records broken include 5000 kilometers from a standing start, 50 miles from a standing start - at an impressive average speed of 148.59 mph - and the flying five kilometers set by Anthony Reid at a spectacular 152.02 mph.
The car was run for two hours between driver changes, each pitstop including a refuel and a tyre change, mainly as a safety precaustion because the outside front tyre is placed under considerable stress when cornering at speeds in excess of 150 mph.
The Volvo S60 was standard, save for the safety-orientated modifications desirable for the event. These included the installation of a full roll-over cage, race petrol tanks to allow rapid refuelling in safety, and an exterior ignition cut-out switch.
Some of the interior was also removed to make way for the cage, and a race seat with extra buttressing and support padding in the head area. Why? Because the S60 T5 generates surprising
g-force around Millbrook's two mile circular banked track, and in testing it was decided that the padding was needed to enable the drivers to rest their neck muscles during the two hour stints. That way they could listen to the Dolby Prologic stereo - which remained in the car and was regularly used - in more relaxed conditions.
The event was reported on live by Channel 4's www.4car.co.uk, which featured six webcast cameras on the site, together with regular reports on the attempt. In addition, Car magazine will run a major feature on the event in it's December issue, out in November, while Driven broadcast the tale on 24 October.
"We are very proud the new S60 T5 has broken so many performance records" , said Gerry Keaney, managing director, Volvo Car UK Limited. this extreme test is a fine testament to Volvo's T5 heritage and leaves absolutely no doubt as to the S60's capabilities in everyday use.
The victorious S60, rushed direct from the scene of its success, grime and all, will be displayed on Volvo's stand at the British International Motor Show on Motorsport Days (27, 28 October).
The records actually broken, subject to MSA ratification, include:
