Volkswagen ID. R to Tackle Chinese Hill Climb

Photo: Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s fully-electric ID. R prototype will take on another challenge in September, with Romain Dumas set for a record attempt on the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road in China.

The 6.8-mile route features 99 corners and stretches up Tianmen Mountain in Hunan Province.

Volkswagen China will run a competition prior to Dumas’ record attempt, in which participants can set virtual times on the route, which currently has no official record.

It is the same location at which Ho-Pin Tung took a hybrid Range Rover up a 45-degree staircase last year.

“The Volkswagen ID. R is an icon, which perfectly embodies our passion for E-mobility and our expertise in the development of electric drive technology,” commented Dr. Stephan Woellenstein, CEO of Volkswagen China and member of the board of management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

“We can use the experience gained in the field of motorsport to further enhance that expertise, and can incorporate it in the assembly of electric production models.”

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets added: “Tianmen has a mystical status in China, where it is known as ‘Heaven’s Gate’.

“The route is one of the most extraordinary and difficult roads in the world – another special challenge for the ID. R.

“Our goal is to set a new milestone for electric vehicles and, in doing so, to support Volkswagen’s E-strategy in China, which is really picking up speed this year.”

Before travelling to China in September, Dumas and the ID. R will attempt to set a new lap record for electric cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Testing for the Nürburgring attempt began last month, ahead of the run taking place on a currently unconfirmed date in the summer.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.