VW Wants to Take the Electric Record at Pikes Peak

Volkswagen wants to prove its electric car bona fides, and the best way to do that is at the track, as it were. To prove itself, it has announced that it will try to break the electric record at Pike’s Peak.

“The Pike’s Peak hill climb is one of the world’s most renowned car races and is therefore perfectly suited to proving the capabilities of upcoming technologies,” said Dr. Frank Welsch, head of development. “Our electric race car will be equipped with innovative battery and drive technology. The extreme stress test posed by Pikes Peak will us important feedback that will benefit future development.”

Volkswagen Motorsport will build the car. In the past, they have taken the Polo to four consecutive World Rally Championships, the Beetle (now) three Red Bull Global Rallycross championships, and much more.

The brand has also raced at Pikes Peak before, with a twin-engine Golf. Not unlike the I.D. concept, there were engines up front and out back. Sadly, that Golf just missed out on the finish, but Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, says that “it is high time for a rematch.”

“The project is also an important milestone in our new motorsport orientation,” said Smeets. “The race on Pikes Peak is a new beginning for us. We are developing an all-electric race vehicle for the first time.”

This new race car will be in good company when it gets to Pikes Peak, which is no stranger to electric cars. Given the high altitude, power coming from a motor that doesn’t run on air is actually an advantage. At 14,000 feet above sea level, traditional engines can struggle to find power near the peak.

The event’s current record holder is Sebastien Loeb (in a Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak) at 8:13.878. The electric record, meanwhile, is held by Rhys Millen in the e0 PP100 with a time of 8:57.118. Volkswagen will be looking to beat Millen’s time.

The post VW Wants to Take the Electric Record at Pikes Peak appeared first on VWVortex.

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