The ID R is a new generation electric race car developed by Volkswagen. The cars develops 500 KW (680 PS) of power and 650 N-m of torque. This is enough to push the 5200 mm long, 2350 mm wide and 1200 mm car weighing 1100 kg from standing start to 100 km/h in 2.25 seconds. Keep mashing the accelerator and the car will go on to achieve a top speed of 270 km/h. The energy to run the motor to unleash all the power and torque is stored in 8 modules of Li-ion batteries which are located in two blocks, next to the driver and behind the monocoque. Using a 90 KW charger, the batteries can be charged in 20 minutes.
The ID R has a carbon fiber monocoque structure with a steel roll cage. It has fully independent double wishbone suspension front and rear and runs on 330-40/18 Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Grip and control is taken care of by permanent four wheel drive system with active torque distribution.
The ID R started its record breaking journey on 24 Jun 2018 when Romain Dumas completed the 19.99 km Pikes Peak hill climb in 7 minutes 57.148 seconds thus undercutting the previous record by 16 seconds. The previous record was held by 3.2-litre twin-turbo Peugeot 208 driven by Sebastian Loeb.
On 15 July 2018, Romain Dumas set the fastest time for an electric car during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, covering the distance in 43.86 seconds.
Next target of the ID R was, well, what else, the Nordschleife. On 03 June 2019, Dumas drove the fastest lap by an electric car on the revered track covering the 20.8 km distance in 6 minutes 5.336 seconds. Dumas bested the last record by 40.564 seconds driving at an average speed of 204.96 km/h.
Then on 06 July 2019, Dumas broke the record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by 39.90 seconds beating the 20 year old record of Nick Heidfeld in a McLaren MP 4/13.
After conquering America and Europe, it was Asia’s turn. Romain Dumas in the ID R climbed 1110 m across 10.906 km on the Tianmen mountain, 1300 km from Beijing. The track has few straights and 99 hairpin bends. Notwithstanding, Romain covered the distance in 7 minutes 38.585 seconds.
The Transport Journal 