Some facts from Volvo UK website...

· Average speed of 135.10 mph over 24 hours

· Flying five kilometres: 152.02 mph

· 50 mile standing start: 148.59 mph

Volvo’s new S60 T5 sports saloon smashed no less than 18 British Land Speed Records last weekend (14/15 October) 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 115.35 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, but this is expected to be a formality.

The records wer broken on the High Speed Track at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. 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 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 car was run for two hours between driver changes, each pitstop including a refuel and a tyre change, mainly as a safety precaution 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 its site, together with regular reports on the attempt. In addition, Car magazine will run a major feature on the event in its December issue, out in November, and Driven will broadcast the tale at 8.30pm, Tuesday October 24th.

"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 press day (17 October) and Motorsport days (27, 28 October).

Note:

The records actually broken, subject to MSA ratification, include:

· 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