The Volkswagen I.D. R has generated a lot of publicity after it smashed the outright Pikes Peak record. Incredibly, the electric racecar completed the Race to the Clouds in just under eight minutes, beating the previous record set by Sebastien Loeb three years ago. Now, Volkswagen has its sights on Goodwood, where it will use the I.D. R to attempt another record. Two-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas, who set the record time at Pikes Peak, will once again be behind the wheel. The aim is simple: set the fastest time ever recorded by an EV at the Goodwood Hillclimb.
To beat the current EV record, Dumas will need to complete the challenging hillclimb in under 47.34 seconds, the record time set by Jonny Coker five years ago in the Lola-Drayson B12 69/EV. If the car's mind-bending performance at Pikes Peak is anything to go by, it could even beat the outright record held by Nick Heidfeld for nearly 20 years, who drove a McLaren MP4/13 grand prix racer up the hill in just 41.6 seconds. The I.D. R race car produces 680 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque thanks to two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. It also weighs less than 2,500 pounds, enabling it to sprint to 62 mph in just 2.25 seconds, so we wouldn't be at all surprised if it smashes another record.
"I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the I.D. R Pikes Peak at the Goodwood Festival of Speed," said Dumas. "The race in Duke of Richmond's estate is a very special event that is steeped in tradition. The best drivers in the world line up in some legendary racing cars in a great atmosphere. The I.D. R Pikes Peak may still be very young, but the record-breaking run on Pikes Peak has already made it a 'living legend'." Volkswagen will need to overcome some logistical challenges to bring the car to Goodwood, however, because the I.D. R was only returned to Germany a few days ago after its record run at Pikes Peak.
This leaves little time for VW to prepare the electric race car for its Goodwood debut. It will also be joined at the British event by the twin-engine Golf Hans-Joachim Stuck drove at Pikes Peak in 1987.
