Driven by journalist Tim Pollard, the 359bhp, five-metre long luxury saloon covered the quarter mile strip at Northamptonshire’s Santa Pod Raceway in an average of 13.9031 seconds – the same time as a Lamborghini Countach.

The record attempt was times to coincide with the model’s launch in 21 European countries, including the UK where it will cost £1,180 more than the equivalent diesel.

Despite its size and performance, the M35h returns 40.4mpg and emits 162g/km CO2.