Volkswagen’s attempt to set the fastest all-electric time up the world-famous Pikes Peak hill climb got off to a great start, as it qualified quickest for the race on Sunday 24.
With qualifying taking place on the first 8.3 kilometres of the 20km course, the I.D. R Pikes Peak set a time of 3:16.083 with Romain Dumas at the wheel – 11.049 seconds faster than second-placed driver Simone Faggioli who was driving a Norma M20 SF PKP using a combustion engine.
Volkswagen and Dumas are aiming to beat the 8:57.118 electric vehicle record for the challenging hill climb, with their attempt taking place at 17:00 BST.
Following his blistering run, Dumas said: “That was a very good day for us. The I.D. R Pikes Peak is incredible. I have never experienced acceleration and power like that in a racing car. I am noticing how the car and I are becoming more and more of a unit with every kilometre.”
Volkswagen Motorsport director Sven Smeets said: “A big compliment to the entire team. We completed an important test yesterday, the findings from which have helped us to further optimize the set-up of the I.D. R Pikes Peak.
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“The result is that the car was superbly prepared today, and the time speaks for itself. However, that was only qualifying. We are optimistic about the race, but must always bear in mind that we only have one single attempt.”
Fitted with two electric motors, the I.D. R has 670bhp at its disposal and is the most extreme model in Volkswagen all-electric I.D. family, which will be introducing road-going cars from next year.
