 The nine-car trains were constructed by Alstom and are equipped with a tilting mechanism developed by Fiat to enable them to run at high speeds on existing rail infrastructure, thus fulfilling the aims of the APT project some 30 years later.The Pendolinos were designed to run at , but require in-cab signalling for high-speed operation.The 2004 West Coast Main Line modernisation programme, which was an upgrade to the infrastructure to allow faster line speeds,
ran over budget, and plans were consequently scaled back.