VW’s ID.R Electric Racer Aims To Beat Goodwood’s Absolute Record

Volkswagen is bringing the electric ID.R race car to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the goal to beat the course record set by a McLaren-Mercedes F1 car driven by Nick Heidfeld in 1999.

The ID.R managed to set a new record for electric cars in Goodwood last year, which also happened to be the third fastest time in the history of the event.

Compared to last year, the German electric race car will come with a different set of lithium-ion battery pack and energy management system to better suit the needs of the hill climb course.

Also Watch: VW ID.R’s Nurburgring Record-Setting Lap Immortalized In Glorious Video

“The latest evolution of the ID.R has been optimised for a sprint,” said François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport. “In Goodwood, the only things that count are maximum power and minimum weight. With drive on board, the ID.R weighs less than 1,000 kilograms.”

Another crucial factor for the new record attempt is of course the weather and the condition of the 1.15-mile route. “It is difficult to judge correctly how much grip the track will provide. That changes all the time over the course of the weekend,” said driver (and two-time Le Mans winner) Romain Dumas.

Bridgestone will provide Volkswagen with very soft and extremely grippy race tires for the ID.R’s run. The tire company’s engineers are familiar with the route’s requirements for a record sprint, since Heidfeld set Goodwood’s fastest time on Bridgestone tires back in 1999.

The VW ID.R has already managed to set the all-time record at Pikes Peak, as well as the EV record at the Nurburgring.

VW’s presence at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed will also include a long range of exhibits, including the upcoming ID.3 model, the company’s hotly anticipated electric car that’s set to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.