British Land Speed Record
On 14 and 15 October 2000, the first generation S60 T5 broke 18 British land speed records (including the highest average speed over a 24 hour period for a Production Car class D (2000-3000cc) at 135.10 mph) at the Millbrook Proving Ground, in Bedfordshire, UK. A joint project by Volvo and Prodrive and covered by Channel 4's "Driven" and "Car" magazine.
The car was standard except for safety modifications such as a roll cage, exterior cut out switch, a modified fuel tank and additional head support to allow the drivers (BTCC drivers Anthony Reid, Rickard Rydell, John Cleland and Alain Menu as well as various "Car" magazine journalists and Channel 4's Mike Brewer) to rest their neck during the 2 hour gaps between pit stops. Each pitstop included a driver change, refuel and tyre changes due to the extreme stresses being placed on the front outside tyre.
The following records were broken:
- 50 kilometre standing start: 147.39 mph
- 50 mile standing start: 148.59 mph
- 100 mile standing start: 147.00 mph
- 200 kilometre standing start: 145.89 mph
- Average speed over one hour: 145.63 mph
- 200 mile standing start: 144.05 mph
- 500 kilometre standing start: 141.63 mph
- Average speed over three hours: 141.62 mph
- 500 mile standing start: 141.53 mph
- 1000 kilometre standing start: 140.79 mph
- 1000 miles standing start: 140.79 mph
- 2000 kilometre standing start: 139.75 mph
- 2000 miles standing start: 137.25 mph
- Average speed over six hours: 141.58 mph
- Average speed over 12 hours: 138.49 mph
- 5000 kilometre standing start: 135.75 mph
- Flying five kilometres: 152.02 mph
- Average speed over 24 hours: 135.10 mph
Read more about this topic: Volvo S60
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