Volkswagen will attack Pikes Peak next year with an all-wheel drive all-electric racecar… Volkswagen last participated in 1987 but didn’t finish the hill climb.

VOLKSWAGEN WILL prove its electric car metal when its all-wheel drive, all-electric racer lines up for the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. VW says its aims it to set a new electric car record for the 19.16km hill climb which currently stands at 8min 57.118 seconds and was set by Rhys Millen in 2016.

“The Pikes Peak hill climb is one of the world’s most renowned car races. It poses an enormous challenge and is therefore excellently suited to proving the capabilities of upcoming technologies,” explains Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Board responsible for Development.

“Our electric race car will be equipped with innovative battery and drive technology. The extreme stress test on Pikes Peak will give us important findings that will benefit future development, and it will showcase our products and their technologies.”

“The race on Pikes Peak is a new beginning for us. We are developing an all-electric race vehicle for the first time,” explains Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. “The project is also an important milestone in our new motorsport orientation. Our team is electrified about taking on this incredible challenge.”