 | |
| Constructor | Volkswagen Motorsport |
|---|---|
| Technical specifications[1] | |
| Chassis | Safety/crash structure at front, carbon monocoque with steel roll cage |
| Suspension | Double wishbone |
| Length | 5,219 mm (205.5 in) |
| Width | 2,350 mm (92.5 in) |
| Height | 979 mm (38.5 in) |
| Axle track | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm (112.2 in) |
| Electric motor | Dual motor 1 per axle permanent four-wheel drive with active torque distribution powered byID. |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Power | 500 kW (680 PS; 671 hp), 650 N⋅m (479 ft⋅lb) torque |
| Weight | <1,100 kg (2,400 lb) incl. driver |
| Brakes | Carbon fibre |
| Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza 330-40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport GT "SLICK" 31/71-18 S9M (Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak) |
| Competition history | |
TheVolkswagen I.D. R also known asVolkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, is aprototype fullyelectric vehicle designed as part ofVolkswagen's I.D. Project, and included within Volkswagen's R series of cars designed specifically for competing inmotorsport events.[2] It is the first electric racing car designed by Volkswagen.[3]
Following theVolkswagen emissions scandal in 2015, the company pulled out of major motorsport events such as theWorld Rally Championship (which the Polo R had won every year from 2013 to 2016), theDakar Rally (3 straight wins 2009 to 2011, plus 2024) and the24 Hours of Le Mans (from 2000 to 2017 all wins but in 2009, with itsAudi,Bentley andPorsche brands).
The Volkswagen I.D. R made its competition debut at thePikes Peak International Hill climb inColorado Springs, Colorado on 24 June 2018. It was driven byRomain Dumas, and the team set a target of beating the existing electric car record of 8:57.118 minutes, set in 2016 byRhys Millen with theDrive eO PP100.[4] The I.D. R became the first car to complete the hill climb in under eight minutes (7:57.148), breaking the outright record set bySébastien Loeb and thePeugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak.[5] The average speed during the run was 150.9 km/h (93.8 mph), and 218 km/h (135 mph) through the speed trap.
In 2018 theDewar Trophy was awarded to Integral Powertrain (the provider of the motors used by Volkswagen) for their electric motors and drivers.[6][7] Previous winners includeKeith Duckworth for theCosworth DFV engine andMercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains for theirFormula 1hybrid powertrain.[6]
On 3 June 2019 the ID.R used 24.7 kWh to break the electric vehicle lap record on theNürburgring with a time of 6:05.336, cornering at up to 3.49 g.[8] The record time was previously held by theNIO EP9 driven byPeter Dumbreck. Again driven by Dumas, the ID. R reached speeds of 273 km/h (170 mph), for an average of 205.3 km/h (127.6 mph).[9][10] In 2019, the I.D. R set a new record for theGoodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb clocking in at 39.90, also by Dumas.[11]
On 2 September 2019, Dumas set a benchmark with the Volkswagen ID.R on the 10,906 m (35,781 ft) Shan Big Gate Road onTianmen Mountain of 7:38.585.[12]
In February 2020, Volkswagen confirmed that a second version of the I.D. R would be built. Named the I.D. R Evo, this version of the car is expected to continue to make record attempts at various tracks and courses around the world, potentially revisiting some benchmarks set by the original I.D. R car.[13] Volkswagen has since announced it would abandon motorsports for their flagship brand, though they continue to support motorsports for their premium brands.
| Year | Venue/Event | Driver | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Pikes Peak International Hill Climb | Romain Dumas | 7:57.148 |
| 2019 | Nürburgring Nordschleife | 6:05.336 | |
| 2019 | Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb | 39.90 | |
| 2019 | Tianmen Mountain | 7:38.585 | |
| 2020 | Bilster Berg | Dieter Depping | 1:24.206 |
The Volkswagen I.D. R features two electric motors, located at each axle, allowing for a combined 507 kW (689 PS; 680 hp) and 649 N⋅m (479 lb⋅ft) of torque.[14][15] The I.D. R weighs under 1,100 kg (2,500 lb) and has a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 2.25 seconds.[2][15] It has a single 45-kWh battery.[16] The Chassis of the car was co-developed byNorma, French sports prototype and hillclimb specialist.[17]
The I.D. R appeared in the fifth episode of season 28 ofTop Gear, with hostChris Harris pitting it against aMcLaren 720S.[18]
The I.D. R made its video game debut as paid downloadable content forV-Rally 4.[19]
RaceRoom Racing Experience partnered with Volkswagen to feature the I.D. R in atime attack challenge on theNürburgring Nordschleife; the competition ran from 24 April to 24 October 2019.[20] It would later be featured in the title's 21 December 2020 content update.[21]
Forza Horizon 4 saw the I.D. R join its vehicle roster as part of the Series 14 update.[22]
The I.D. R are also appears inReal Racing 3 andGran Turismo 7, both games depict a version that was used during the Nürburgring time attack challenge.
