Meet the 44-litre, 3,000bhp Mercedes-Benz T80

The incredible six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz T80 – developed and designed by Ferdinand Porsche and backed by the German government following some persuasive chats with famed racing driver Hans Stuck – was built to break the land speed record on home tarmac, on a stretch of motorway in Dessau early 1940.

The T80 was hoped to achieve a staggering 373mph, and its modern, art-deco inspired sweeping lines were at the forefront of aerodynamic design. 

Unfortunately, the giant silver arrow never got the chance to put its 44.5-litre 3,000hp V12 Daimler-Benz DB 603 aero engine to the test, as the outbreak of WWII distracted somewhat from the project.

Usually found within a museum in Stuttgart, it is a real privilege to have this unique and important piece of automotive history at the Festival of Speed this year.