It is the start of a new era in motorsport for Volkswagen – and one thing is already certain: This Volkswagen is set to electrify its public. When the I.D. R Pikes Peak is presented to the public on 22 April, it will be Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car. Up to now, the public has had to be satisfied with high-quality computer sketches for an initial impression of the summiteer for the most famous hill climb in the world. However, the unveiling of the finished prototype is now just around the corner: lightweight construction and aerodynamic perfection contribute to an exciting design, which houses a powerful electric power unit.
The I.D. R Pikes Peak will first take its place under the spotlight of the international media at the racetrack in Alés, France – home of world-class driver Romain Dumas (F), who will be at the wheel for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb – before the official test programme gets underway just one day later.
Key date, 24 June 2018 – one goal: Break the record for electric racing cars
19.99 kilometres. 1,440 metres in altitude. All in just under nine minutes. Just one attempt. Hardly any crash barriers. Steep slopes falling up to several hundred metres. The event on Pikes Peak, reverently known as the “Race to the Clouds”, starts at 2,862 metres and finishes at 4,302 metres above sea level. For more than 100 years, it has been the most spectacular hill climb in the world of motor racing. Volkswagen took part with an iconic twin-engine Golf in 1987 but came up just short of victory. The goal is now to settle that score by setting a new record for electric cars.
The “R” stands for “Racing” again – partnership with Volkswagen R
This record attempt sees Volkswagen R, which lends its name to the car, look to the future. The knowledge gained during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb project will be incorporated in the future development of performance-optimised electric cars at R GmbH.
