Volkswagen is returning to hill climbing for the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. The automaker has teased a couple of images of a new race car and a 1987 Pikes Peak video on social media, followed by an official announcement.
Volkswagen Motorsport and the Technical Development team in Wolfsburg are joining force in developing a brand new, all-electric and all-wheel drive race car for the world’s most famous mountain race. This is their first all-electric race car and the goal is simple: set a new record for electric cars on the 4,300-metre ascent. The current Pikes Peak record for electric cars is 8 minutes 57.118 seconds, set by US driver Rhys Millen in a Drive eO PP100 last year.
Volkswagen last participated in the Pikes Peak race in 1987, but the twin-engined Golf just missed the finish line. Let’s hope their innovative battery and drive technology helps them acheive a grand comeback after more than 30 years away from the sport.
The 2018 Pikes Peak will take place on June 24th.