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The JCB Dieselmax supercar set a new world record for a diesel-powered vehicle for the second day running with a new combined speed of 350.092 mph (563.418 km/h) on 23 August.

The previous day the UK-designed and built car broke the 33-year-old previous record with a combined total of 328.767 mph in two runs over the measured mile on the Bonneville salt flats in Utah.

The Dieselmax supercar team celebrate a new world record of 328.767 mph, set on the Bonneville salt flats in Utah. The next day they broke the record again

The vehicle, driven by the world land speed record holder Andy Green, has been designed at the JC Bamford Excavators construction and agricultural equipment manufacturing company in Rocester, England, with engines developed from the JCB's own group design by the Ricardo automotive consultancy.

The twin-engined vehicle, painted in JCB's traditional yellow, has been in the US for the past two weeks building up to the world speed record attempt.

On the Dieselmax's first run over the measured mile on Tuesday 22 August, the car achieved a speed of 324.248 mph (518.797 km/h). Under the FIA regulations, the car then had to make a return journey within one hour and this was timed at 333.339 mph, or 533.342 km/h. The new record is taken as the average of the two runs.

The previous record for a diesel vehicle was set more than 30 years ago. In 1973, Virgil W Snyder managed 235.756 mph (377.205 km/h) in the Thermo King Streamliner, also at Bonneville.

Then on Wednesday 23 August, Green recorded 365.779 mph on his first run and 335.695 mph on the return to break his own record set the previous day.

Driver Green said: "This is exactly what we came to do today: this is British engineering at its absolute best. We now have the fastest diesel in the world."

The fastest diesel engine in the world

Project director Tim Leverton, director of engineering at JCB, said: To have built the world's fastest diesel is a stunning achievement for the whole JCB Dieselmax team and the car performed superbly. Our goal was to set an official FIA record in excess of 300 mph and we have achieved that and more."


To download a PDF with details of the car, click here

To download a PDF with details of the engines, click here

The Financial Times has also reported that JCB chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, would be interested in buying troubled carmaker Jaguar – if Ford were to spilt the company from Land Rover.

Bamford said: "If they [Ford] can separate Jaguar out [from Land Rover] then I'd like to buy it...selling them together won't make much because Jaguar is regarded in the world as a dog."

Jaguar lost $162 million in the second quarter, but Bamford said: "I can see a long term future in Jaguar."

Ford has only commented that it is continuing to "review its options."