Volkswagen has been teasing the world for quite some time now with its I.D line of fully-electric vehicles. The likes of the I.D. Buzz, along with other electric cars and SUVs are set to roll out as early as 2019, with a goal of 20 I.D. models by the year 2025.
But before Volkswagen electrifies the world, the German carmaker wil first show its electric mettle at no less than one of the most grueling motorsport events around—the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. This year’s Race to the Clouds will take place on June 24 near Colorado Springs, where a fully electric I.D. R Pikes Peak race car will compete for the very first time.
Volkswagen has officially christened the racing machine with this name, signaling not only its intent to show what electric mobility can really do but to likewise let the world know that it is serious about offering such tech. The current electric prototype record holder is Rhys Millen who did the climb to the top in 8:57.118 minutes back in 2016.
For the uninitiated, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb is a race up the Colorado Rocky Mountains that first took place in 1916. It it s 20km run that begins at just 9,000ft and goes all the way to the summit—some 115ft above sea level. This can truly be a test of strength for both man and machine with its many twists, turns, and climbs.
Volkswagen‘s last outing in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb was back in 1987. Back then, it used a dual-engine Golf that put out 652hp.
