Veyron’s Predecessor – The Volkswagen W12 Nardò Concept

Hard to believe, Volkswagen’s W12 Nardò Concept is nearing its 25th year of existence! We take a look back on one of the German automaker’s wildest endeavours. 

Nardo

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Unveiled at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, the Volkswagen Nardò Concept remains a cornerstone of automotive innovation and design from the early 2000s. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, this prototype showcased Volkswagen’s ambitious leap from the practical family vehicles for which it was known into the realm of ultra-fast sports cars.

The concept was a daring exploration of aerodynamics, featuring a low, sweeping profile and sharp lines designed for minimal drag and high-speed stability. A single, curved glass windshield extended into the roofline, splitting the gullwing doors and flowing into a glass engine cover that showcased a powerful W12 engine. This 5.6-litre unit comprised two 2.8-litre VR6 engines joined on a common crankshaft and developed 309 kW, which was channelled through Volkswagen’s Syncro all-wheel drive and a six-speed sequential transmission. The concept’s teardrop-shaped body and integrated rear spoiler designed to maximize downforce and minimize air resistance helped it achieve an impressive 0.28 drag coefficient.

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The Nardò was conceptualised during a period of intense technological experimentation at Volkswagen. Although it garnered significant attention upon its unveiling, several factors prevented it from advancing to production. The primary challenges were the exorbitant development costs associated with its advanced technology, and the difficulty of integrating such high-performance features into a production model. Additionally, the shifting focus of the automotive market towards practicality and sustainability further diminished the feasibility of bringing the Nardò to the mass market.

Although it never reached production, the Nardò was instrumental in shaping Volkswagen’s high-performance aspirations. The insights gained from its development played a crucial role in the firm’s acquisition of Bugatti in 1998. This strategic move was aimed at leveraging Bugatti’s expertise to develop an ultra-high-performance vehicle. The result was the Bugatti Veyron, which debuted in 2005. The Veyron, with its quad-turbocharged W16 engine and top speed exceeding 400 km/h, was a natural evolution of the Nardò’s performance goals.

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The Volkswagen Nardò Concept was more than just a futuristic prototype – it was a testament to Volkswagen’s engineering ambition and a precursor to the iconic Bugatti Veyron. Its innovative design and advanced technology ultimately set the stage for a new era of high-performance vehicles.

Find the full feature in the November issue of CAR Magazine.

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The post Veyron’s Predecessor – The Volkswagen W12 Nardò Concept appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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