Volkswagen unveils all-electric Pikes Peak car, completes shakedown

Volkswagen has revealed its challenger for a record-breaking run up this year's Pikes Peak International Hillclimb

The all-electric car known as the I.D. R was unveiled in Ales, France, before it then took to the track for its first shakedown run.

Volkswagen Motorsport's target for the June 24 event in Colorado is New Zealander Rhys Millen's 8m57.118s benchmark for the 12-mile climb, having previously come close to winning the event in 1987.

The I.D. R, so-called after Volkswagen's E-tech I.D. brand and the German firm's R racing department, will accelerate from 0-60 in 2.25 seconds, offers 500kW power, which equates to 680bhp, and 650Nm torque.

That power and torque is distributed to all four wheels and carries the car to a maximum speed of 150mph.

Volkswagen claims that it can go from 0-100km/h in 2.25 seconds and that it would be faster to do so than a Formula E or Formula 1 car.

The Pikes Peak project marks Volkswagen's factory return to a major motorsport programme for the first time since it withdrew from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2016.

It also underpins the brand's entry into electric motorsport, with that technology likely to be put to good use with a potential factory World Rallycross effort when the series is electrified in 2020.

"As with the Volkswagen brand's production vehicles, fully-electric racing cars will also play an increasingly important role for us in the future," said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport director.

"The cooperation within the group really helped us, particularly given the tight schedule. For example, we received support from the Volkswagen battery plant in Braunschweig and worked together with the technical development department in Wolfsburg."

Two-time Le Mans winner, and former Pikes Peak competitor, Romain Dumas will drive the I.D. R in America this summer.

shares
comments

Meet the man behind motorsport safety legislation

Tesla-based electric GT series reveals eight-round 2018/19 calendar

Inside Toyota’s alternative path to the future of motorsport

Inside Toyota’s alternative path to the future of motorsport

Plus
Plus
Le Mans
Jim Holder

Inside Toyota’s alternative path to the future of motorsport Inside Toyota’s alternative path to the future of motorsport

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

How a timely change of chassis transformed Formula 3 forever

How a timely change of chassis transformed Formula 3 forever

Plus
Plus
BF3
Marcus Simmons

How a timely change of chassis transformed Formula 3 forever How a timely change of chassis transformed Formula 3 forever

The 2022 Autosport Awards winner using Esports as a launchpad

The 2022 Autosport Awards winner using Esports as a launchpad

Plus
Plus
General
2022 Autosport Awards
Alex Kalinauckas

The 2022 Autosport Awards winner using Esports as a launchpad The 2022 Autosport Awards winner using Esports as a launchpad

The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right

The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right

Plus
Plus
General
Gary Watkins

The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right

Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past

Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past

Plus
Plus
Historics
Gary Watkins

Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past

Why romanticism isn't the key factor in Lola’s racing return

Why romanticism isn't the key factor in Lola’s racing return

Plus
Plus
General
Gary Watkins

Why romanticism isn't the key factor in Lola’s racing return Why romanticism isn't the key factor in Lola’s racing return

Rating the best drivers of the century so far

Rating the best drivers of the century so far

Plus
Plus
General
Kevin Turner

Rating the best drivers of the century so far Rating the best drivers of the century so far

Subscribe