VW to Unveil Pikes Peak Racer on Sunday

Even though it might not feel like it, summer is on its way and with it, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Volkswagen will try to set an overall speed record to the top on June 24, marking the first time since the ‘80s that the brand has had an official presence at the hill climb (though VW hasn’t been entirely absent).

The I.D. R, as it’s being called, is racing to the peak to promote the I.D. range of electric vehicles and the short program is nearly ready to start testing.

This weekend, at the Circuit Pole Mecanique Ales Cevennes in Ales, France, the I.D. R will be fully revealed to the press.

The town is the home of Romain Dumas, the Le Mans-winning driver who is tasked with driving the prototype electric race car into the history books this summer.

The reveal will also mark the start of the car’s testing program. Although it hasn’t been to Pike’s Peak since the ‘80s, when it was less than successful, Volkswagen Motorsport, it must be said, can put together a race car.

Last year, the team’s rallycross cars took the championships in both international rallycross series, while in 2016 their WRC rally team ended on a somewhat diesely high note, winning their fourth WRC championship in as many years.

Dumas, too, brings the fair few motorsports trophies to the table. Long a fixture of the 24 hours of Le Mans, he has won two overall victories at the event (once with Porsche, once with Audi) and another class victory at the race. On top of that, he has won Pikes Peak before.

You can watch the unveiling on Volkswagen Motorsport’s Facebook this Sunday, the 22 at 11 am Eastern Time.

The post VW to Unveil Pikes Peak Racer on Sunday appeared first on VWVortex.

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