VW is hoping to smash records at this year’s Pikes Peak with its I.D. R EV racer

Volkswagen has just revealed the all-electric car its entering into the Colorado Pikes Peak International and there’s only one word to describe it – fast! 

Weighing less than 1,100kg, including driver Romain Dumas, the VW I.D. R is a lightweight speed machine with two electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries. The batteries, which feature 470lb of torque, are mounted on the bottom of the car. 

But while previous Pikes Peak winners have relied on sheer power, VW’s I.D. R will use a very calculated mix of power, weight and energy recovery to succeed.

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 In fact, VW claims its EV is able to accelerate faster than a Formula 1 car. Going from 0-60mph in an incredible 2.25 seconds, and with a top speed of 149mph, it’s looking to smash the previously set track record of 8 minutes 57.118s.

In order for the I.D. R to complete the gruelling 12.42-mile run uphill, 20% of the car’s energy will have to be generated through braking, meaning it can get to a peak power of 670bhp. It is, however, a big car, being 2,350mm wide, 5,200mm long and 1,200mm high including a wheelbase of 2,850mm. 

“Customers have always benefited from the findings made in motorsport, and we expect to take these findings and use them as a valuable impetus for the future ID models,” Frank Welch, VW development board member said.

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The I.D. R, named after Volkswagen’s e-tech I.D. cars, as well as VW’s R racing division, will be looking to beat the speedy time set by Rhys Millen, who drove the Drive eO PP10 in 2016. Unlike the I.D. R, the eO PP10 had six electric motors and a peak power of 1,596bhe, which on paper, sounds more impressive than VW’s offering, but that is where VW’s power-weight ratio comes into play.

And it has a pretty good shot, considering its being driven Dumas, a previous Pikes Peak champion.

The Pikes Peak event is arguably one of the hardest hill climb races in the world. With 156 turns and a starting line 9.390ft above sea level and a finish line 14,110ft high, the VW I.D. R will indeed have a challenge on its wheels come 24 June.