Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak: an electric car on the hunt for a new record

Aiming to break the record for the Pikes Peak hill climb in the electric car category, Volkswagen has developed the I.D. R Pikes Peak, an electric supercar with 680 CV and under 1,100 kg, which accelerates faster than a Formula 1 car.

The event takes place on 24 June 2018, although the official test programme has just begun with the official presentation. Volkswagen wants the record on the Pikes Peak hill climb, and wants it in the electric car category no less. To do so, it has developed the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, which will be driven in the “race to the clouds” by Frenchman Romain Dumas, winner of the 2017 edition, when he claimed his third trophy in this event.

To beat the record in the category of fully electric cars, Dumas will have to cut the time of 8 minutes, 57 seconds and 118 thousandths, set in 2016 by Rhys Millen. For reference, the overall record regardless of propulsion type remains in the hands of Sébastien Loeb, with 8 minutes and 13 seconds, standing since 2013, at the wheel of his Peugeot-Red Bull.

Here you can see Rhys Millen’s current record on the Pikes Peak hill climb with an electric car

https://youtu.be/Fk7eCsWaLXw

Faster than a Formula 1 car

The I.D. R Pikes Peak will not be the first Volkswagen to attempt to win this legendary event. Between 1985 and 1987, the German brand already took part with an innovative twin-engine VW Golf. Things have changed a great deal since then, and the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak is a true competition sports car that could even pass for one of the prototypes taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

No less than 20 percent of the energy the VW I.D. R Pikes Peak will use during the race will come from energy recovered under braking.

Powered by two electric motors delivering a combined output of 500 kW (680 CV), with a maximum torque of 650 Nm and a final weight of under 1,100 kg, the I.D. R Pikes Peak’s acceleration capability surpasses even that of a Formula 1 car. It is capable of reaching 100 km/h from a standing start in 2.25 seconds, something Romain Dumas will need to make the most of across each of the 156 corners of the 19.99-kilometre climb with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,440 metres.

As a curious fact, the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak could recharge its battery in 30 minutes, as required by the event regulations. This ensures it can return to the starting line within that time should the run be suspended for any reason during the record attempt.