The world’s fastest road car—unmatched for over 80 years

In 1938, the Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen shattered expectations—and records. On a public road near Frankfurt, Rudolf Caracciola reached an astonishing speed of 432.7 km/h (268 mph), a record that would stand until 2017. Designed with a streamlined body and powered by a V12 engine, the car was a marvel of pre-war engineering. Its record wasn’t just a technical feat—it was a statement of ambition and precision. Today, this silver bullet rests at the Mercedes-Benz Museum as a silent tribute to an era when speed knew no limits.