The I.D R Pikes Peak has successfully undergone its first test up the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Development of the car started around seven months ago. “We already have a wealth of experience with high-performance cars and with racing cars, but a high-performance prototype like the I.D. R Pikes Peak was a world first for us,” said Klaus Bischoff, executive director of Volkswagen Design.
The design development for the racing car started with a proverbial blank sheet of paper. In the initial briefing, Bischoff and his colleagues didn’t get much more info from the engineers other than the desired length, width and height of the chassis of the I.D. R Pikes Peak.
Aerodynamics and the cooling system for the engine, batteries and brakes of the racing car need to cope with the unusual stresses in the thin mountain air – starting at an altitude of 2,862m, with the finish line at an altitude of 4,302m.
“Close alignment with the engineers was very important during the design process,” said Bischoff describing the teamwork, in particular, between the aerodynamics specialists at Volkswagen Motorsport and Volkswagen Design. “Our task was to give a form to their requirements. Design and function formed a symbiotic relationship.”
The I.D. R Pikes Peak will make its debut on June 24, 2018 on the hill climb in Colorado. Driver Romain Dumas’ goal is to improve on the existing track record for electric racing cars. “I would be delighted if the design we developed helps completing this difficult task,” said Bischoff. “We will definitely be wishing our colleagues at Volkswagen Motorsport the best of luck on race day.”