Volkswagen has finally released the full onboard video of Romain Dumas’ record run up Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road in China behind the wheel of the all-electric ID.R race car.
The ID.R already held records up the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb, Pikes Peak and the Nurburgring prior to heading to Asia, and the record run in China is just the latest feather in the its cap. There had been no record run previously attempted up the road, so, as long as Dumas kept the car on the road, a record was guaranteed, the only unknown being the time.
Also Watch: Watch VW’s ID.R Devour The Tianmen Mountain Hillclimb In China
The Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road is usually populated exclusively by slow-moving tourist buses and features huge cliffs and minimal concrete barriers on the side of the road. Dumas is hugely experienced and drove the ID.R to its absolute limits; at some points, the electric racer exceeds 220 km/h (136 mph) and, thanks to its bespoke electric powertrain, it reaches those speeds with breathtaking pace.
By the time the former Le Mans winner crossed the finish line, he had driven up the road and its 99 corners in a mere 7 minutes and 38.585 seconds. This record will likely stand for quite some time unless Big Gate Road starts to attract other car manufacturers looking for a new battling ground other than the Nurburgring.
“A new record on a truly spectacular road – Volkswagen and the ID.R have once again shown what the electromobility of the future is already capable of today,” Volkswagen chief operating officer Ralf Brandstätter said after the record-setting run. “Not only has it proven that electric cars like the ID.R can break established records and set new benchmarks, but the ID.R also shows how emotive and exciting the mobility of the future is.”