Volkswagen is to take on the world-renowned Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with an all-electric race car built specifically for the event.
Called the I.D. R, it is the fastest model to be revealed as part of the I.D. concept family, which is currently made up of the I.D. hatchback, BUZZ MPV, CROZZ SUV and VIZZION saloon. The first production model from the I.D. is set to be released in 2020.
But rather than being just a concept, this car will be driven up the 12.42-mile mountain course this June, with testing of the model due to start in the coming weeks.
Taking part in the electric prototype class, the I.D. R is looking to beat the current record of 8:57.118 set back in 2016 by Rhys Miller of New Zealand in an eO PP100.
The four-wheel drive model is to be driven by French driver and three-time Pikes Peak winner Romain Dumas.
Volkswagen is looking to make a successful return to the event after competing back in 1987 with a 643bhp, dual-engine Golf – which unfortunately broke down just before the finish.
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Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport director, said: "It is about time we settled the score. The I.D. R Pikes Peak represents an extremely exciting challenge for us, to show what is possible with an electric engine in motorsport. The entire team behind our driver Romain Dumas is highly motivated to set a new record for electric cars."
The annual event takes place on June 24, 2018, with the course taking in 1,500 metres of elevation and 156 corners. The current overall record up the hill climb of 8:13.878 is held by Sebastien Loeb, who drove a purposely-built Peugeot 208 T16.
