VW's I.D. R Breaks Pike's Peak World Record
Slideshow: Regardless of your point of view on EVs there is no denying what the ID R just accomplished. The real question is: are they taking over?
How to Snatch a Crown
Taking on the mountain is challenging enough. Between you and the summit is one of the most challenging roads in the world. 156 corners and 12.42 miles long the famous hill climb ascends to 14,110 feet, starving engines of precious oxygen as they struggle to climb the mountain. Unless, of course, you don’t have an engine that breathes air. This electric power plant doesn’t suffer power loss from altitude. It’s not just clever, it’s a genius way to make power in a race where the competition has to compensate to make equivalent horsepower.
Power to Weight
At 2,420 lbs the IDR isn’t the lightest car to ever ascent the mountain, but you have to remember how long electric components can be mounted into a chassis. That’s one of the huge advantages these platforms have over gasoline engines which allows them to deal with their weight in a different manner. Power is a net 670hp with torque coming in at a measured 479 lb-ft. Remember this car will not lose any horsepower at altitude.
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Aerodynamic Dark Side
Weight is only part of the equation when it comes to building a record breaker. You have to think about airflow just as much as any other part of the car. Shapes on the body are there to guide the air along the path of least resistance with notable features up front like the elevated splitter. Underbody design of the car looks aggressive with a steep diffuser at the rear. Aerodynamic balance is definitely a part of this car’s build philosophy.
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Expert Pilot
Romain Dumas was the driver who set the record and should get as much of a mention as the car itself. Dumas is a 7-time podium finisher at the 24 Hour of Le Mans, 3-time podium finisher at the 24 Hour of Daytona and drove a Porsche 919 to a championship victory in the 2016 season of World Endurance Championship. He also has experience in WRC and Dakar, just in case you were wondering.
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Is it Over For ICE?
Are internal combustion engines on the way out because of this new ID R victory? Well, not quite. Porsche has yet to campaign the 919 EVO which means we still have a good old-fashioned dogfight on our hands. The age of electric cars in motorsport isn’t going to be ushered in quietly, but what will Porsche’s response be? Will it be enough? No matter what happens, this is all good news for the future of EVs as they improve by using motorsport just like the good old days. Until next time!
>>Join the conversation about the I.D. R Pike's Peak run right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!