VW unveils Pikes Peak e-car challenger

Volkswagen has unveiled an electrically-powered sports car, the ID R Pikes Peak, writes Brian Byrne.

Faster than Formula 1 and Formula E cars in a sprint, the new car has 680hp on tap and is the vehicle by which VW hopes to set a new record for an electric car at the Pikes Peak hillclimb event in Colorado, USA, in June.

The ID R Pikes Peak has a 0-100km/h sprint capability of 2.25s. It weighs less than 1,100kg.

The powertrain features two electric motors, and is designed to provide speed rather than range, as the hillclimb distance is just under 20km.

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