Volkswagen’s first all-electric racecar – the ID.R Concept – will attempt a race to the top of the Tianmen Mountain, China, in September 2019. The track has quite a few famous names, such as the 99 Turns, the Heaven-Linking Avenue, and the Big Gate Road.
To set a new world record on a 11.3-kilometer (7-mile) long, serpentine track with elevation changes of up to 1,100 meters (3,610 ft.), the vehicle will likely need extensive improvements and tweaks to its chassis and aerodynamics.
Last year, a custom-built Range Rover Sport SVR managed to ascend the mountain in 9 minutes 51 seconds, beating the record of the Ferrari 458 Italia by a full 40 seconds.
As for the VW ID.R. Concept, the all-electric car packs 680 hp (507 kW) and has few rivals on the road. Following its decisive victory at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race, it then scored the Fastest Car of Nürburgring award and beat a 20-year-old hill climb record at the latest Goodwood Festival of Speed. There is little doubt that it will perform just as well on the 99 Turns.