To achieve his objective, Gabriel Voisin decided to revert to the efficient 4-litre as the basis for the new car; he reasoned that mounting two of the four-cylinder blocks on a common crankcase would yield the output required.

The resulting 7,938 cc straight eight duly delivered some 210 horsepower, its twin Zeniths breathing through a large Tecalemit air filter. Two lateral oil coolers were fitted, with the oil and fuel tanks concealed in the tapering tail. This impressive power unit was fitted to the chassis of the 1926 car.

More aerodynamic than its predecessor, the new car ran on Dunlop tyres with wheel discs at the rear. In his relentless quest to minimise weight, Gabriel Voisin saved some 50 kilos by eliminating the gearbox entirely, relying on an oversize clutch and the engine's huge torque to effect the required standing starts despite the high final drive gearing.

On Monday April 11, the Issy engineers saw their endeavours rewarded by an encouraging turn of speed in the first track test. After a few fine tuning sessions, the car took to the track two days later with Marchand at the wheel.

Marchand at the wheel of the 8-cylinders.

Success soon followed, with two world records falling: 100 kms in 29 minutes 13 seconds at an average speed of 205.35kph, and 100 miles in 46 minutes 40 seconds (206.89kph). The one-hour record was thwarted by a puncture, but this proved only a temporary setback.