Volkswagen I.D. R
The Volkswagen I.D. R also known as Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, is a prototype fully electric vehicle designed as part of Volkswagen's I.D. Project, and included within Volkswagen's R series of cars designed specifically for competing in motorsport events.[2] It is the first electric racing car designed by Volkswagen.[3]
| 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 by ID. |
| 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 | |
History
Following the Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015, the company pulled out of motorsport events such as the World Rally Championship (which they had won every year since 2013), the Dakar Rally (3 straight wins since 2009) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (13 wins with its Audi and Bentley brands in the 15 years prior to 2014).
The Volkswagen I.D. R made its competition début at the Pikes Peak International Hill climb in Colorado Springs, Colorado on 24 June 2018. It was driven by Romain Dumas, and the team set a target of beating the existing electric car record of 8:57.118 minutes, set in 2016 by Rhys Millen with the Drive 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 by Sébastien Loeb and the Peugeot 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 the Dewar Trophy was awarded to Integral Powertrain (the provider of the motors used by Volkswagen) for their electric motors and drivers.[6][7] Previous winners include Keith Duckworth for the Cosworth DFV engine and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains for their Formula 1 hybrid powertrain.[6]
On 3 June 2019 the ID.R used 24.7 kWh to break the electric vehicle lap record on the Nürburgring with a time of 6:05.336, cornering at up to 3.49 g.[8] The record time was previously held by the NIO EP9 driven by Peter 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 the Goodwood 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 on Tianmen 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.
Track times set
| Year | Venue/Event | Driver | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Pikes Peak International Hill Climb | Romain Dumas | 7:57.148 |
| 2019 | Nürburgring Nordschleife | Romain Dumas | 6:05.336 |
| 2019 | Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb | Romain Dumas | 39.90 |
| 2019 | Tianmen Mountain | Romain Dumas | 7:38.585 |
| 2020 | Bilster Berg | Dieter Depping | 1:24.206 |
Technical specifications
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 by Norma, French sports prototype and hillclimb specialist.[17]
In media
Television
The I.D. R appeared in the fifth episode of season 28 of Top Gear, with host Chris Harris pitting it against a McLaren 720S.[18]
Video games
The I.D. R made its video game debut as paid downloadable content for V-Rally 4.[19]
RaceRoom Racing Experience partnered with Volkswagen to feature the I.D. R in a time attack challenge on the Nürburgring 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]
Real Racing 3 saw I.D. R join the roster as part of the 9.2 update.
The Volkswagen I.D. R was added in the Electric Season Update in Asphalt 9: Legends.
On 29th September 2022 the Volkswagen I.D. R was added to Gran Turismo 7 with the update to 1.23.
See also
- McMurtry Spéirling, an electric prototype car manufactured by McMurtry Automotive.
References
- ^ "Electric to the max: 56 pages on the ID. R and the electro-mobility strategy from Volkswagen". Volkswagen Newsroom. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Volkswagen unveils fully-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ Volkswagen News (16 May 2018). "Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak: aerodynamics". YouTube. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ (PDF). 21 July 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Electric Volkswagen smashes Sebastien Loeb's Pikes Peak record". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Royal Automobile Club Awards 2018 Dewar Trophy to Integral Powertrain". 31 October 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Integral Powertrain wins Dewar Trophy for Pikes Peak electric motors". November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "VW ID R Nurburgring lap sets efficiency record too". Green Car Reports. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Volkswagen will be trying to get electric car lap record". 5 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ "VOLKSWAGEN ID. R SETS NEW ELECTRIC RECORD ON THE NÜRBURGRING". media.vw.com. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ Dow, Jameson (5 July 2019). "Volkswagen ID.R breaks 20-year-old Goodwood hillclimb record set by V10 F1 car". Electrek.
- ^ "Record at "heavens gate" in China".
- ^ Attwood, James (4 February 2020). "Volkswagen developing upgraded ID R Evo version of record-breaker". Autocar.
- ^ "VW I.D. R Pikes Peak Is Quicker Than A Formula 1 Car". Motor1.com. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b "See How The VW I.D. R Pikes Peak Cuts Through Air On Video". Motor1.com. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ Krok, Andrew. "VW ID R's record-setting Nurburgring run required just 24.7 kWh of battery". Roadshow. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Petrány, Máté (23 April 2018). "The 680 HP I.D. R Is What Happens When Porsche and VW Build an EV LMP1 Car for Pikes Peak". Road & Track. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Markovich, Tony (24 February 2020). "Watch Chris Harris in the electric VW ID.R waste a McLaren 720S". Autoblog. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Patrick, Kyle (15 February 2019). "The Volkswagen I.D. R Makes Its Gaming Debut in V-Rally 4". GTPlanet. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Slater, Gary (25 April 2019). "Volkswagen Partners With RaceRoom for ID. R Nurburgring Competition". GTPlanet. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Jeffrey, Paul (18 December 2020). "RaceRoom | Audi R8 LMS GT3, Audio Teasers, VW ID.R & More - News Bonanza". RaceDepartment. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ Dooley, Kevin (26 September 2019). "Forza Horizon 4 update adds McLaren 600 LT & McLaren 720S". Team VVV. Retrieved 12 November 2020.