Volkswagen is looking to set another hill climb record with the all-electric ID. R, following on from claiming the fastest times up the Goodwood Hill Climb and famous Pikes Peak mountain.
The Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road in Southern China is an 11km trail that is used exclusively to take tourists up to the top of Tianmen Mountain and features 99 corners on the way to the summit.
However, there is currently no hill climb record for the battery-powered Volkswagen to beat – so the German firm is letting members of the public set a time in the virtual world through a mobile app before French race driver Romain Dumas takes on the ‘Road to Heaven’.
Taking in around 1,100 metres of climbing, the road is only used by buses to get tourists to the Tianmenshan temple at the top and is said to be one of the most treacherous trails.
Dumas said: “So far, I only know the road from photos and a few videos. The surrounding area is remarkable, like a film set. The route is very winding, extremely narrow in places, and very uneven. It is certainly going to be a special experience. I am looking forward to this new challenge.”
Se Available Volkswagen dealsSven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport director, said: “Tianmen has a mystical status in China, where it is known as ‘Heaven’s Gate’. The route is one of the most extraordinary and difficult roads in the world – another special challenge for the ID. R.
“Our goal is to set a new milestone for electric vehicles and, in doing so, to support Volkswagen’s E-strategy in China, which is really picking up speed this year.”
The ID. R uses two electric motors that produce a combined 671bhp, allowing the lightweight machine to get from 0-60mph in just over two seconds. Volkswagen is also looking to set the fastest time around the Nürburgring this summer – widely regarded as the world’s toughest race track.