Volkswagen I.D. R takes all-time Pikes Peak record

Volkswagen I.D. R takes all-time Pikes Peak record

Volkswagen has taken the all-time record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with its I.D. R Pikes Peak all-electric racer, clocking a time of seven minutes 57.148 seconds courtesy of Romain Dumas behind the wheel. The German manufacturer’s latest effort saw the I.D. R Pikes Peak racer beat the previous all-time record by 16 seconds, set by Sébastien Loeb in the Peugeot T16 Pikes Peak.

The 19.99 km-long hillclimb course is comprised of 156 corners, which the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak tackled with a total system output of 680 PS and 650 Nm of torque. Unlike cars powered by internal combustion engines, EVs are not adversely affected by diminishing air density as the vehicle ascends the course. Previously, the EV record for the hill climb stood at 8 minutes 57.118 seconds, set by Rhys Millen in an e0 PP100 in 2016.

Electricity for the I.D. R Pikes Peak was provided by generators at the foot of Pikes Peak, which were fuelled by glycerol, a form of sugar alcohol, according to Volkswagen. Glycerol can be a by- product of biodiesel manufacture, and can combust with virtually no harmful fumes or residue, the company added.

Volkswagen I.D. R takes all-time Pikes Peak record

“For it to come off, everything had to come together perfectly – from the technology to the driver. And the weather had to play ball too. That everything ran so smoothly is an incredible feeling, and the new record on Pikes Peak is the icing on the cake,” said Dumas.

“This is a fantastic day for Volkswagen and one, of which we are very proud. The I.D. R Pikes Peak is the most innovative and complex car ever developed by Volkswagen Motorsport,” said Volkswagen Motorsport director Sven Smeets.

GALLERY: Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Loebs car still looks like a road going car. This looks like Le Mans special.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Anonymous on Jun 25, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      It is basically an EV LMP1, but other than their powertrain the difference between the ID R and 208 T16 Pikes Peak is mostly skin deep. The engine of the 208 is where the rear seats are supposed to be. Its rear wing is from the 908 (LeMans prototype racer), and it has only 1 seat which has been shifted closer to the centre.
      Interesting to note that the 208 has a power:weight ratio of 1:1 (875 hp, 875 kg), while the ID R is at 40% lower (670 hp, 1100kg). The VW probably has more torque, and of course better torque vectoring.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Sushi Sucks on Jun 25, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    Le Mans Toyota Team that syiok sendiri by winning sendiri category will not stand a chance to beat VW at Peak Hills.

    More high tech and powerful compare to any Toyota currently ( please bring on )

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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