Start / Vintage Car Chronicles EN / Volkswagen w12 the concept that shaped an engine legacy

Volkswagen W12: The Concept That Shaped an Engine Legacy

16 min • 17 mars 2025

In this episode of Vintage Car Chronicles, we explore the Volkswagen W12, a series of concept cars from 1997 to 2001 that showcased VW's groundbreaking W12 engine. Designed by Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, the W12 was a mid-engine supercar with futuristic styling and advanced engineering. Though never mass-produced, the W12 proved its performance by breaking 24-hour speed records at the Nardò test track. The engine later found its way into luxury models like the Bentley Continental GT and Audi A8. Join us to uncover the story of this ambitious project and its lasting impact on automotive innovation.

Senaste avsnitt

Volkswagen W12: The Concept That Shaped an Engine Legacy

Senaste avsnitt

Reliant: The Unconventional Pioneer of British Automobiles

Citroën Xsara WRC: Dominance and Evolution in Rally History

DeltaWing: Racing's Boldest Experiment

Peugeot 307 WRC: Rally Innovation and Unconventional Challenges

Panoz: The Unconventional American Innovator in Motorsports

SSC North America: The Art of Speed

Bentley: A Century of Luxury and Performance

Holden: The Rise and Fall of an Australian Icon

Chrysler: The American Empire of Innovation

Fiat 500: The Little Italian Revolution

Borgward: The Rise and Fall of a German Icon

Honda Civic: The Evolution of a Legend

Ford Crown Victoria: The Icon of Law Enforcement and Taxis

Stirling Moss: The Greatest Never to Win

Ayrton Senna: The Master of Speed

Adrian Newey: The Master of Aerodynamics

Mille Miglia : La Course des Mille Miles

Lancia: The Legacy of Rally and Luxury

DTM: The Golden Era of Touring Cars

NASCAR: From Bootleggers to Racing Legends

Dakar: The Ultimate Rally-Raid Challenge

Targa Florio: The World's Toughest Road Race

Subaru Impreza: The Rally Legend

Drifting: From the Streets to Competition

Nürburgring: The Green Hell of Speed

Suzuki Cappuccino: The Tiny Turbocharged Wonder

Subaru BRAT: The Quirky Pickup

Subaru 360: Japan’s Ladybug on Wheels

Honda S600: The Pocket Rocket

Mazda Cosmo: The Star of Innovation

Toyota 2000GT: Japan’s First Supercar

Chrysler Airflow: Too Bold for Its Time

Dodge Daytona: The King of Aero Wars

Dodge: From Parts to Performance

Ultima Cars: Redefining Speed

Breaking Ground: The Oldsmobile Toronado Revolution

Timeless Elegance: The Buick Riviera Legacy

Toyota GR Yaris: Rally DNA on the Road

Ford RS200: The Wild Child of Rally

Matra Bagheera: A French Revolution

Simca: The Underdog of Innovation

Hudson Hornet: Racing's Unsung Hero

Dodge Dart: Compact Muscle Icon

Plymouth Superbird: A Racing Legend

Jeep Willys: The Vehicle That Won the War

Lincoln Continental: The Epitome of Luxury

AMC Gremlin: The Rebel Compact

Camaro: Born to Compete

The Rise and Fall of Pontiac

The MG Metro 6R4: A Group B Rally Icon

Dodge Lancer: A Tale of Three Eras

Peugeot 505: The Last Rear-Wheel-Drive Family Car

Mercedes-Benz T80: The Land Speed Dream

Ferrari Enzo: The Pinnacle of Automotive Excellence

Sébastien Loeb: The King of Rally

Saleen: From Race Tracks to Hollywood

Volkswagen W12: The Concept That Shaped an Engine Legacy

Renault Sport R.S. 01: The French Supercar Racer

John Cooper Works: Mini’s Racing Legacy

Ferrari 250 GTO: The Ultimate Grand Tourer

Jacky Ickx: The Belgian Master of Motorsport

Lamborghini Countach: The Supercar Revolution

Toyota Celica: From Icon to Legend

Peugeot 306 S16: A French GTI Classic

Peugeot 406 Coupé: French Elegance with Italian Flair

BMW Z4: The Ultimate Roadster Evolution

Alfa Romeo 156: The Car That Redefined Style and Driving Fun

Volkswagen XL1: The World's Most Efficient Car

Ferrari Daytona: The Timeless Icon of Speed and Style

The Iconic Mini: From Revolution to Legacy

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR: A Racing Legend for the Streets

Ken Block: Master of Gymkhana

Keiichi Tsuchiya: The Drift King’s Legendary Journey

Ferrari F50: A Formula 1 Car for the Road

Brabham: A Racing Legacy of Innovation

Gordon Murray: Engineering Visionary and Innovator

Noble Automotive: The Pursuit of Lightweight Performance

Smart: Small Cars, Big Ideas