An Oxfordshire engineering firm helped Volvo's new S60 T5 sports saloon to smash18 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 car averaging 135mph over the 24-hour period, and collected 17 other records on the way. The previous record, set in 1983, stood at 115.35 mph. All these records are subject to ratification by the RAC MSA, who timed and observed the event at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The project was a joint production involving Volvo, Banbury-based Prodrive which prepared the car and co-ordinated the attempt Car magazine and Channel 4. Drivers of the victorious car included British Touring Car Championship contenders Anthony Reid, Rickard Rydell, John Cleland and Alain Menu.
Some of the other records broken include 5,000 kilometres from a standing start, 50 miles from a standing start at an impressive average speed of 148.59 mph and the flying five kilometres, set by Anthony Reid, at a spectacular 152.02 mph.
The Volvo S60 was standard, except for the safety-orientated modifications, which included the installation of a full roll-over cage, race petrol tanks and an exterior ignition cut-out switch.
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