THE RECORD-CHASING ID.R - ELECTRIC TO THE MAX - Goodwood Festival of Speed 04-07 July 2019 - Volkswagen Motorsport
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ELECTRIC TO THE MAX THE RECORD-CHASING ID.R Goodwood Festival of Speed 04–07 July 2019
Foreword
2|3
Dear Media Representatives,
Last year, the fully-electric ID.R made history on Pikes Peak in The ID.R is symbolic of Volkswagen’s electro-mobility offen-
Colorado Springs. For the first time in the history of this iconic sive, which kicks off with the world premiere of the first model
hill climb, with a heritage stretching back over 100 years, the in the ID. range, the ID.3. By implementing this strategy, we
all-time record was set by an electric race car. are making electric cars attractive and affordable for as many
people as possible. The Volkswagen brand will launch more
This year, the ID.R, which has been consistently developed than 20 fully-electric models by 2025.
by Volkswagen Motorsport, is taking on new challenges:
driver Romain Dumas has already set a new lap record for When it comes to technology and performance, the ID.R race
electric cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Further exciting car is spearheading electro-mobility ‘made by Volkswagen’. In
endeavours await the ID.R at the Goodwood Festival of Speed the following pages, we will introduce you to the next evo-
in England and on Tianmen Mountain in China. lutionary stage of the record-breaking car and the ambitious
plans we have for it. I hope you enjoy the read.
As the racing ambassador for the future electric production
cars in the ID. family, the ID.R combines Volkswagen’s tech- Dr. Frank Welsch
nical expertise in the field of electric drive technology with the Member of the Board of Management in charge of
emotion and fascination of motor racing. The aim of the forth- development of Volkswagen passenger cars
coming outings with the ID.R is to underline what Volkswagen
cars with electric drive technology are already capable of.
Contents
ELECTRIC TO THE MAX
THE RECORD-CHASING ID.R
Contents
Foreword 02
Introduction 06
Continuous development 14
Technical data 22
Interview with Sven Smeets 24
E-mobility strategy 28
The ID. family 34
Profile: Romain Dumas 42
Goodwood Festival of Speed 44
Tianmen Mountain 48
Record-breaking cars 52
Volkswagen R 56
Partners 58
Contact and service 60
#challengeacceptID
4|5
Introduction
Last year, the ID.R emphatically underlined
the potential of electric drive technology on
Pikes Peak.
6|7
THE ID.R IS BACK
THE HUNT FOR RECORDS GOES ON
Pikes Peak, Goodwood and a new Electric Lap Record on 03 June 2019 at the
Nürburgring-Nordschleife – the ID.R and racing driver Romain Dumas are building on their
success from last year. More challenges await.
Pikes Peak, Goodwood and the Nürburgring-Nordschleife – When the ID.R takes on these new challenges, it will be able
Romain Dumas set three records within one year at the wheel to rely upon continuously-developed technology. This
of the fully-electric ID.R. The Volkswagen Motorsport team is primarily includes even more efficient electric drive tech-
now set to take on more challenges in the second half of nology and optimised aerodynamics, tailored to the conditions
2019. of each outing. The iconic racer is still powered by two electric
motors with a system performance of 500 kW (680 PS).
Dumas returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the
ID.R at the start of July. The aim is to defend the title at the The all-time record on Pikes Peak in June 2018 saw
Goodwood Hillclimb, which the Frenchman won last year. Volkswagen Motorsport lay down its first big marker in one of
Then, in early September, a new challenge awaits the team on the most ambitious projects in its illustrious history. “There
Tianmen Mountain in China: for the first time, Dumas and the was no predecessor to the ID.R. We literally started with a
ID.R will look to set a milestone by completing the 10-kilo- blank sheet of paper,” says François-Xavier Demaison,
metre climb, which features a difference in altitude of Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport, recalling the
1,100 metres, as quickly as possible. There is not currently a start of the project in October 2017.
record for this route, but Volkswagen Motorsport is using this
spectacular outing to support Volkswagen’s electro-mobility Pikes Peak: electric drivetrain beats combustion engine
strategy in China. Just 250 days later, on 24 June 2018, Dumas completed the
»
19.99-kilometre hill climb up Pikes Peak, Colorado, in
Introduction
7:57.148 minutes. In doing so, he smashed the previous “As far as I am concerned, it is the best and most difficult
record held by a car with combustion engine by more than racetrack in the world. I would like to say a big thank you to
16 seconds. Never in the history of this iconic hill climb, the Volkswagen Motorsport team, who did a fantastic job
which was first held back in 1906, had a driver climbed the again. The ID.R was perfectly prepared for the Nordschleife
4,302-metre peak in less than eight minutes. and it was so much fun to experience that blistering
acceleration and the rapid cornering speeds.”
The next record followed just a few weeks later. On 15 July
2018, Dumas and the ID.R set a new record for electric cars Evolution for the unique demands of the Nordschleife
(43.86 seconds) – and took overall victory – at the Goodwood With the Nürburgring-Nordschleife posing its own unique
Festival of Speed in England. The winning time was also the challenges, the team at Volkswagen Motorsport had just five
fastest for 15 years and the third-fastest of all time. months to complete extensive modifications to the ID.R
compared to the car that set new records on Pikes Peak and in
This was followed on 03 June 2019 by the fastest lap of the Goodwood. “The aerodynamic configuration of the evolution-
Nürburgring-Nordschleife by an electric race car. The ID.R ary version of the ID.R is geared more towards top speed than
completed the 20.8-kilometre circuit in 6:05.336 minutes. maximum downforce,” explains François-Xavier Demaison.
Dumas improved upon the previous record, set by Peter Dum- “We used detailed tests in the simulator and at the racetrack
breck (GB, NIO EP9) in 2017, by 40.564 seconds. With an aver- to adapt the ID.R to the unique conditions faced on the
age speed of 204.96 km/h, the ID.R once again underlined the Nordschleife. This primarily dealt with the chassis set-up,
potential of Volkswagen’s electric drivetrain. energy management, and optimal tyre selection for the record
attempt.”
For Dumas, who has won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring
on four occasions, the record-breaking drive with the ID.R was The real challenges facing the engineers and technicians were
another highlight at his favourite circuit. “I am incredibly the differences between the hill climb on Pikes Peak and the
proud to be a record-holder on the Nordschleife,” says Dumas. iconic track in the Eifel region of Germany. In the case of the
US classic on Pikes Peak, which started at 2,862 metres above
sea level and climbed to 4,302 metres, the thin air required a
huge rear wing. On the Nordschleife, which winds its way
»
8|9 At the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Romain Dumas and the ID.R drove the fastest time for 15 years – and set a new e-record in the process.
Introduction
A great success for Volkswagen Motorsport:
the ID.R set a new Electric Lap Record and beat
the previous by more than 40 seconds.10|11
through the Eifel at altitudes between 320 and 617 metres, it
is top speed that plays a crucial role. For this reason, the
ID.R was equipped with a drag reduction system (DRS), similar
to that used in Formula 1. “The reduction in aerodynamic
drag allows the ID.R to achieve top speed with less energy
consumption on the long straights,” says Demaison.
“The reduction in aerodynamic
In pursuit of new records drag allows the ID.R to achieve top
Volkswagen continues to pursue its systematic electro- speed with less energy consumption
mobility strategy in the second half of 2019. One key element
of this strategy is the ID. range of products, based on the MEB
on the long straights.”
platform (Modular Electric Drive Kit), which was designed François-Xavier Demaison,
exclusively for electric drive technology. As the racing Technical Director Volkswagen Motorsport
ambassador to the ID. family, the ID.R is emphatic proof that
cars with electric drive technology can be extremely efficient,
high-performance, and also stir emotions.
»Introduction
The ID.R is the subject of further alterations for the so-called “Heaven’s Gate” is a natural breach in the mountain,
challenges to be faced in Goodwood: modified battery roughly 7,000 m² in size. One of the most spectacular roads in
management and the downsizing of the lithium-ion batteries China winds its way up to this natural arch. It features 99 hair-
make the car lighter and increase power output efficiency pins and a climb of about 1,000 metres. Never before has a car
on the 1.86-kilometre route. With its standing start and a with the potential of the ID.R climbed Tianmen Mountain,
track surface that is often dirty, the Goodwood Hillclimb, meaning no official record yet exists.
which forms part of the Festival of Speed, really puts both
man and machine to the test. Be it a new e-record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the mis-
sion to defend its title at the Goodwood Festival of Speed or
Linking heaven and earth the “race to the clouds” on Tianmen Mountain in China – the
From southern England, the ID.R heads to China in September: year 2019 continues to hold many exciting challenges for the
according to Chinese folklore, Tianmen Mountain, which is ID.R and Romain Dumas.
located roughly 1,300 kilometres as the crow flies from the
capital Beijing, forms the link between heaven and earth. The
31.01.18 24.06.18 14.12.18 24.04.19 07.07.19
Inclusion New all-time record Announcement of World premiere of Title defence
of driver at Pikes Peak project continuation Volkswagen ID.R at Goodwood
Romain Dumas International Hill Climb at the Nürburgring Festival of Speed
18.10.17 22.04.18 15.07.18 19.01.19 03.06.19 02.09.19
Announcement World premiere of the New e-record Announcement New e-record Start at
of ID.R ID.R Pikes Peak in Alès at Goodwood of Nürburgring at the Nürburgring- Tianmen Mountain
project Festival of Speed e-record attempt Nordschleife in China12|13 The most striking modification to the ID.R in 2019 is the new rear wing, which reduces the height of the electric race car by roughly 22 centimetres.
Continuous development
Volkswagen Motorsport continues to improve
the electric race car ID.R in the ongoing year
and continues to prepare it for the challenges
that lie ahead.14|15
THE CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOPED ID.R
BETTER IN EVERY ASPECT
Volkswagen is driving electro-mobility forward at pace. The racing spearhead of this
type of drive is the fully-electric ID.R. The thoroughbred sports car was the subject of
continuous development ahead of its outings in 2019.
Following last year’s spectacular outings on Pikes Peak (USA) We also made many detailed adjustments to the ID.R to en-
and in Goodwood (Great Britain), the ID.R took on the sure it was prepared for the specific demands of the Nord-
challenge of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (Germany) in June schleife,” says François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at
2019. This is to be followed in July by the defence of its title in Volkswagen Motorsport. “We have developed a lighter sprint
Goodwood and a trip to Tianmen Mountain (China). A version with modified battery management for the title
medium-fast hill climb to over 4,000 metres above sea level, defence in Goodwood.”
1.86-kilometre sprint, the most demanding racetrack in the
world in the Eifel mountains, and now a narrow, winding road Simulations speed up development
with 99 hairpins – the demands placed on the ID.R could Just 250 days passed between the start of the ID.R project
hardly be more diverse. and victory on Pikes Peak on 24 June 2018 – that alone must
be some kind of record. Volkswagen Motorsport had even less
The variable technical layout of the ID.R means the car can time this year to prepare for its assault on the record lap time
be set up optimally for the new challenges. “Based on the for electric cars on the Nordschleife. With the pressure on, the
Pikes Peak spec, we were able to continue to systematically team led by Dr. Benjamin Ahrenholz, Head of Calculation/
develop the ID.R for the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Goodwood Simulation at Volkswagen Motorsport, has played a significant
and Tianmen Mountain, and to make it even more efficient. role in the preparations.
The biggest changes for the Nordschleife are in the aerody-
»
namics and the way the electric drivetrain manages its energy.Continuous development
“We use simulations in several areas in order to continue to research different energy management strategies, which
developing the ID.R. We save a lot of time this way. The control the power output and charging during the lap
computer performance required for the many calculations is (regeneration). “For an engineer, the nice thing about the
so high that we receive support from the Volkswagen challenges on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and Tianmen
Production Development department in Wolfsburg. If Mountain is that we are given completely free rein. We can
necessary, we can call on their computer network with several develop the most efficient solutions without being restricted
hundred processors,” says Ahrenholz. by regulations,” says Willy Rampf, technical consultant to the
Volkswagen Motorsport team.
For example, when designing optimised chassis components,
structure simulation was used to calculate the loads that the Variable aerodynamics and drag reduction system
chassis of the ID.R would have to cope with on the Nord- The basis of the ID.R remains unchanged from that of last
schleife. The driving dynamics simulation allowed Romain year. The 2019 evolution of the Pikes Peak winner is also
Dumas to practice and find the optimum strategy for powered by two electric motors with a system performance of
managing battery power. At the same time, the computer also 500 kW (680 PS). The drive concept, with one electric motor
completed virtual laps of the Nordschleife in order to test the per axle, as well as the lithium-ion batteries in the ID.R are
effects of various different set-ups and energy management comparable to the technology to be used in the ID. product
strategies. family, Volkswagen’s range of fully-electric production
vehicles, set to be launched over the coming years and
Before the further developed ID.R was subjected to the including the ID.3. The design, with its stylish light signature,
airflows in the wind tunnel, the aerodynamic simulation had also underlines the role of the ID.R as a racing ambassador to
already calculated the effects of dozens of different wings, the ID. family.
spoilers and flaps. The battery simulation was primarily used
»16|17 As with the preparations for the record-breaking outing on Pikes Peak last year, Volkswagen has once again tested the 2019 ID.R in the wind tunnel.
Continuous development
Formula 1 technology in the ID.R
Without DRS (drag reduction system) activated, the ID.R generates rough-
ly twice as much downforce as a Formula 1 car. Activating DRS
reduces aerodynamic drag by about 20 percent. Compared to the
record-breaking outing on Pikes Peak in 2018, the aerodynamic drag
generated by the ID.R without DRS activated is roughly 33 percent lower.18|19
The record-attempt on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife de- greater downforce at lower speeds, while a flat wing reduces
manded a completely new strategy with regard to aerodynam- aerodynamic drag on the straights. “The difference in down-
ics. “The Nordschleife has a lot of straights, the longest of force is about 20 percent,” says Dechipre.
which is almost three kilometres,” says Dr. Hervé Dechipre, the
engineer responsible for the aerodynamics of the ID.R. “The Unlike in Formula 1, where the primary goal of DRS is to make
air is also far denser than it was at such a high altitude on overtaking easier, the system on the ID.R helped the car man-
Pikes Peak. For this reason, we developed a completely new age the energy stored in its batteries more efficiently on its
aerodynamic configuration for the ID.R, with less downforce record-breaking lap of the Nordschleife. The adjustable rear
for the Nordschleife.” wing allowed the ID.R to achieve its top speed using less
energy. Furthermore, less energy was required to maintain the
In order to reduce aerodynamic drag, the ID.R was given a maximum speed on certain sectors of the circuit.
modified floor and a front spoiler tailored to high speeds. The
most distinctive feature is the modified rear wing. It is signifi- In order to achieve this, the software in the ID.R was com-
cantly flatter than it was for the record-breaking run in June pletely re-programmed. “We practically started from scratch
2018. However, as higher downforce is required in the slower again with the energy management,” says Bertram. The tech-
of the 73 corners on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the rear nicians spent the tests in Spain and France working meticu-
wing also uses technology that has become a familiar lously to find the optimal strategy for energy regeneration on
feature in Formula 1 – a drag reduction system, DRS for short. the Nordschleife. The energy regenerated under braking was
“Switches on the steering wheel allow the driver to change less than on Pikes Peak, due to the different characteristics of
the setting of the main elements of the rear wing,” explains tracks. In the US, the ID.R generated roughly 20 percent of the
Dechipre. Steeply-angled airflow control areas help generate energy required on board. On the Nordschleife, this figure was
about ten percent.
»Continuous development
“Another important change from 2018, with regard to the ID.R is better and more efficient in every aspect than the car
chassis set-up, is our new tyre partner Bridgestone,” adds with which I set the record on Pikes Peak in June 2018,” says
Cedric Delnatte, ID.R project lead. “Finding the right set-up the Frenchman. “Back then, we did not know exactly what
was a key aspect of our preparations. However, we were able awaited us. We had to make compromises in certain places.
to gain a lot of the knowledge required in this regard during For the Nordschleife, we were much closer to the limit with
tests at racetracks other than the Nordschleife.” Also new are the whole car. That obviously also puts more demand on me
aspects of the brake system on the 2019 ID.R, which was as a driver. For example, the centrifugal forces I was subjected
converted to carbon-fibre brake disks for the record-breaking to in the corners were far greater.”
lap of the Nordschleife. These are not only more robust than
the ceramic disks used previously, but they also help to reduce The record attempt on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife was as
the so-called ‘unsprung’ mass. much a home outing for Dumas as it was for Volkswagen
Motorsport. “The Nordschleife is by far the most beautiful
This refers to the mass of all the parts of the car that are not racetrack in the world – I love it,” says the four-time winner of
supported by the chassis springs. In the case of the ID.R, these the Nürburgring 24 Hours, giving an insight into his personal
include the wheels and brakes. The unsprung mass affects tastes when it comes to motor racing. The electric lap record
handling. As a rule of thumb: the lower the unsprung mass, was exactly the right challenge for him – and perfect prepar-
the better the driving properties. ation will once again be key to success in Goodwood and
China.
More work for the driver
Romain Dumas, who will once again be at the wheel of the
ID.R in 2019 following last year’s record-breaking drives, is
extremely impressed by the job done by the Volkswagen
Motorsport engineers. “It is hard to believe that the 201920|21
neue Bilder
Technische Daten wie Polo
Booklet
Nürburgring-Nordschleife instead of Pikes Peak.
Racetrack instead of hill climb. The aerodynamics of
the fully-electric ID.R have been further developed
accordingly.Technical data
TECHNICAL DATA
VOLKSWAGEN ID.R (2019)
Doppeklseite
ENGINE
DESIGN Fully-electric engine
POWER OUTPUT 500 kW (680 PS)
TORQUE 650 Nm
POWER TRANSMISSION
FINAL DRIVE Permanent four-wheel drive with
active torque distribution
CHASSIS
FRONT/REAR AXLE Double wishbone suspension
TYRES Bridgestone Potenza 330-40/1822|23
e entfällt
BODY
DESIGN Safety/crash structure at front,
carbon monocoque with steel roll cage
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT 5,219/2,350/979 mm
TRACK WIDTH 1,600 mm
WHEELBASE 2,850 mm
WEIGHTInterview with Sven Smeets
“THE ID.R HAS ALREADY
CREATED A BIG BUZZ”
Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets looks ahead to the forthcoming
outings with the ID.R in 2019 and explains the role of the fully-electric race car as
the racing spearhead of Volkswagen’s electro-mobility strategy.
How do you rate the success of the ID.R so far? How did you prepare the ID.R for the Nordschleife – particu-
Sven Smeets: We have shown with the ID.R what emotions larly compared to the record-breaking outing on Pikes Peak?
electric cars can awaken. The response to the all-time record on We know the Nordschleife quite well and had gained a lot
Pikes Peak was truly overwhelming. We then added to the more experience with the ID.R. In order to prepare the car for
success story with a new lap record for electric cars at the this challenge, we had to make some modifications, including
Nürburgring. The project has also created a huge buzz intern- to the aerodynamics. For example, we lowered the rear wing
ally. We have managed to significantly raise awareness of the by about 22 centimetres and installed a drag reduction
future production models in the ID. family. The message is system, like the one in Formula 1. Our driver, Romain Dumas,
getting through that electric cars are not only environmentally- could activate this when necessary during the record attempt,
friendly, but can also be high-performance and fascinating. in order to reduce aerodynamic drag on in the faster sections.
We also made adjustments to the battery management.
You followed Pikes Peak last year with the Nordschleife
this year. How did you come up with this new challenge for And with great success. What goals have you set after the
the ID.R? lap record for electric vehicles on the Nordschleife?
We wanted to use the ID.R again to show that Volkswagen is In July 2019, we want to repeat last year’s victory at the Good-
building electric cars that are capable of taking on the biggest wood Festival. In 2018, we set a new record for electric cars
challenges a car can face. The Nürburgring-Nordschleife was with the ID.R. The time of 43.86 seconds was also the
»
the next logical step. No other racetrack is more demanding or
more captivating than the “Green Hell”.24|25
“The message is getting through
that electric cars are not only environ-
mentally-friendly, but can also be
high-performance and captivating.”
Sven Smeets,
Volkswagen Motorsport DirectorInterview with Sven Smeets
“The motorsport industry is also going
through a period of change and I see us
as a pioneer in the field of electric drive
technology with the ID.R.”
Sven Smeets,
Volkswagen Motorsport Director26|27
third-fastest time for 15 years on this track. This year, we line industry is also going through a period of change and I see
up for the first time with an ID.R prepared specifically for us as a pioneer in the field of electric drive technology with
Goodwood. Later in the year, another very special challenge the ID.R. Within a very short period of time, we have
awaits us in China… developed a huge amount of know-how with e-drives, which
we are only too happy to share with our colleagues in produc-
In September, Romain Dumas will drive the ID.R on Tianmen tion development.
Mountain. What are you out to achieve there?
Tianmen has a mystical status in China, where it is known as To what extent are Volkswagen Motorsport and the Production
“Heaven’s Gate”. Special promotions there are raising a lot of Development department at Volkswagen working together in
awareness in Asia. The primary goal of the ID.R’s outing on the field of e-mobility?
Tianmen Mountain is to support Volkswagen’s e-strategy in The cooperation with Volkswagen’s Production Development
China, which is really picking up speed in 2019. The country is department is a very important element in the continuous
undergoing exceptional changes in terms of mobility: registra- development of the ID.R – for us, and for our colleagues. For
tion statistic have clearly been reflecting a disproportionately example, we are engaged in intense exchanges on the
growing demand for electric cars for years. development and manufacture of battery systems – the range
of new ideas is huge, and we can produce real innovations
Electro-mobility is the topic of the future at Volkswagen. How with our motorsport prototypes. At the same time, we are able
do you view the role of the ID.R in this regard? to call on the technical resources of the Technical Develop-
Development is progressing with rapid strides in the field of ment department in Wolfsburg for the continuous develop-
e-mobility. The outings with the ID.R show Volkswagen’s clear ment of the ID.R, which significantly speeds up our work.
commitment to electro-mobility and underline the huge
potential of the electric drive technology. The motorsportE-mobility strategy
PIONEER
FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
Volkswagen is taking responsibility by initiating a step-by-step conversion of vehicles, pro-
duction and other value creation stages to achieve CO2-neutral status in the coming years.
The Volkswagen Group is continuing to drive systemic change brand 9 billion euros. Volkswagen views the transformation to
in individual mobility and is aiming resolutely for the introduc- battery-powered electric drive systems as an important way
tion of electric drivetrains. Volkswagen will be introducing of reaching those climate-related objectives. The proportion
nearly 70 new e-models to the market by 2028. The number of of electric vehicles in the fleet is to rise steadily, reaching at
electric vehicles projected for the next decade is set to rise to least 40 percent by 2030.
22 million.
Following on from the ID.R, racing forerunner of Volkswagen’s
Volkswagen has also affirmed its support for the objective ID. product family, the first production model based on the
of restricting global temperature increase to less than two new MEB electro platform (modular electric drive matrix) will
degrees by 2050, as agreed at the Paris climate summit. With be constructed at the Volkswagen factory in Zwickau. During
this in mind, the Group intends to achieve CO2-neutrality by regular production operations, the factory will be converted
2050. This will be the case for the fleet, for production and for from the current 100 percent focus on combustion engines to
management as well. By 2025, the CO2 footprint of the vehicle 100 percent electric drive technology.
fleet is to be reduced by 30 percent across the entire life cycle,
compared with the figures from 2015. This process is a global first, representing the first complete,
comprehensive transformation of a major automotive factory
To achieve this, the Volkswagen Group will be investing more to e-mobility. From 2022 onwards, fully-electric vehicles will
than 30 billion euros in electro-mobility by 2023, with the up- also roll off the line at the Volkswagen factories in Emden and
»
coming electro offensive alone set to cost the Volkswagen28|29 Efficient reuse The batteries in the ID. range of models consist of many cells. They fill almost the entire area of the car floor, between the two axles. Each battery is efficiently recycled and reused in its so-called “second life” – such as in mobile charging stations.
E-mobility strategy
Volkswagen locations in Germany
involved in MEB production
Emden
Manufacturing of electric saloons and compact cars
Wolfsburg
Development of MEB/ID. family
Hannover
Manufacturing of the ID. BUZZ family
Braunschweig
Manufacturing of battery system for the ID.
Dresden
Manufacturing of one model in the ID. family
Salzgitter
Manufacturing of stators and rotors for e-engines
Kassel
Competence centre for e-engines
Zwickau
Manufacturing of ID. and ID. CROZZ, from end of 201930|31
Hannover. Together, these three locations will form the largest family will be followed by the production versions of the
high-performance e-production network in Europe. ID. CROZZ2, ID. BUZZ2, ID. VIZZION2 and ID. ROOMZZ2 concept
cars.
Opening up the MEB to other manufacturers will extend the
reach of the platform and can lead to significant cost reduc- The brand launch of the ID. family will mark the start of the
tions for electric vehicles, thanks to economies of scale. The largest e-offensive in the automobile industry and will be a
cooperation planned with Aachen-based e.GO Mobile AG is an milestone in the history of climate-neutral mobility. The
example of one such partnership. pioneering role is reserved for the ID.3, which will go into pro-
duction in Zwickau at the end of the year: the first electric car
Volkswagen has selected LG Chem, SKI, CATL and Samsung as produced by the Group will be CO2-neutral throughout its life
strategic battery cell suppliers to safeguard the electro offen- cycle, assuming that customers consistently charge the bat-
sive. Volkswagen is also looking ahead to the potential of tery with renewable energy. The carbon footprint of the ID.3
increased demand and investigating opportunities for involve- for the production phase will be reduced by more than one
ment in battery cell production in Europe. Volkswagen is also million tonnes of CO2 per year. That corresponds approximately
working on increasing battery cell expertise at the company’s to the climate-related impact of a coal-fired power station
own Center of Competence in Salzgitter. The Volkswagen supplying 300,000 households with electricity.
factory in Braunschweig is producing the battery systems for
e-vehicles based on the MEB. Europe-wide network of fast-charging stations
The market launch for the ID.3 will be preceded by a succes-
The ID. family, a milestone in CO₂-neutral mobility sion of solutions to the issues facing private and commercial
Attractiveness, a wide range of options, sustainability and e-mobility customers – including movable assets, billing and
affordability are of prime importance for the Volkswagen elec- digital additional services and complete consulting packages.
tric cars, alongside the key values of emotionality and digitisa- All of this underlines Volkswagen’s intention to become the
»
tion. The ID.31, the first compact car from the fully-electric ID. leading provider of sustainable mobility.
1
This vehicle is not yet for sale 2
Concept CarE-mobility strategy
It will also be possible to maintain CO2-neutrality when using platform “We” will allow customers to search for charging
the ID.3 – assuming that customers choose to use sustain- stations and provide a payment service with “We Charge”.
ably-generated electricity. The new Volkswagen subsidiary Elli
will be offering a wide range of wallboxes and charging solu- Efficient reuse
tions with sustainably-generated energy in time for the mar- The lithium-ion battery is not just an important part of the
ket launch of the ID.3 in 2020. success strategy for the ID.R race car, but is also a vital
element of the Volkswagen e-offensive. The new and inde-
Volkswagen is also working with the joint venture IONITY to pendent Volkswagen Group Components brand will assume
build up a high-performance and sustainable fast-charging end-to-end responsibility for the battery – from building
network in Europe. The first target is the construction of expertise in cell production to recycling. Once the life cycle of
400 fast-charging stations on motorways across Europe. the vehicle is complete, the battery can be reused in second
Around 100 of these will be in Germany, at intervals of life concepts – or established recycling procedures will trans-
approximately 120 kilometres. form it into a valuable source of raw materials.
Customers will be able to choose between various wallbox In this case, the lithium-ion battery will be a treasure trove of
variants for safe, quick and easy charging at home. These scarce raw materials that can be reused once its operational
variants are set to include 11-kW wallboxes, while the intro- life has come to an end. From 2020, Volkswagen will recycle
duction of fast 22-kW wallboxes with a charging time of three batteries at the component location in Salzgitter to put valuable
to four hours is also planned. Volkswagen will also increase materials back into circulation. In addition to the recovery of
the number of charging points available at employee car parks aluminium, steel and copper, this process will focus on the
from 1,000 to 3,500 by 2020. retrieval and reuse of nickel, manganese and cobalt. The long-
term objective is to reuse up to 97 percent of all recyclable
In this timeframe, all Volkswagen dealers and service partners material when the market starts to return large quantities of
in the EU will be equipped with charging stations that will be batteries at the end of the next decade.
available for customers and the public. The Volkswagen mobility32|33 This is what the future looks like: efficient charging at an IONITY fast-charging station.
The ID. family
THE ID. FAMILY
A LOOK AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE
The fully-electric models from the ID. product family embody the technological and
social evolution of individual mobility.
The countdown has begun: from 2020, Volkswagen will move The basis for all six models is the MEB vehicle architecture
into a new automobile age with the ID. family. The brand will (modular electric drive matrix), conceived and designed for
be introducing an entire family of fully-electric models to the fully-electric drive systems. The drive concept of the ID.3 and
road for the very first time. It will range from the compact the ID. BUGGY stipulates a rear-axle electric motor, while the
ID.31 to the SUV coupé ID. CROZZ2, the multi-variable full-size other four models each have an electric motor on the front
lounge SUV ID. ROOMZZ2 and the luxury limousine and rear axles – making them four-wheel drive vehicles. Drive
ID. VIZZION2, as well as the production edition of the ID. BUZZ2 can be provided by the rear axle alone, or by both axles.
– the electric reincarnation of the legendary “Bulli” van. The Whenever required for reasons of drive dynamics, power is
open ID. BUGGY2 represents dynamic, limitless driving enjoy- distributed to the four wheels within milliseconds via an elec-
ment and provides the opportunity for future development of tric cardan shaft.
other vehicles on the MEB platform.
1
This vehicle is not yet for sale Concept Car
234|35
This drive control allows the ID. cars to adjust swiftly to The floor-mounted batteries are charged via a cable. The rapid
virtually any situation, whether racing through fast turns on loading system supports charging performances of up to 125 kW,
tarmac roads, or – with the permanent all-wheel-drive options and ensures that battery charge can reach 80 percent within
provided by the ID. CROZZ and the ID. ROOMZZ – through around 30 minutes.
snow or mud on dirt tracks.
The design of the ID. family
The entire drivetrain is contained in a compact unit. Thanks Visionary design with a human focus – and exuding a fascin-
to the battery integrated into the vehicle floor and their low ation for electro-mobility – is at the core of the vehicles in the
centre of gravity, the ID. vehicles boast even weight distribu- ID. family, all of which are based on the MEB platform. The charis-
tion and pleasant, balanced driving dynamics. The capacity matic front end is as intriguing as the flowing, sculptured surfaces
of the high-voltage batteries varies from model to model. of the outer skin. The large wheels were chosen deliberately for
»
Customers will also have the option of choosing increased enhanced expressiveness: they are one of the primary design
storage capacities. features that characterise electro-mobility by Volkswagen.The ID. family
The production version of the ID. BUZZ (left)
will be launched in 2022. However, the future
is just around the corner: the compact ID.3
heralds a new era of mobility in 2020. Regis-
trations are possible now at Volkswagen trade
partners.36|37
All the cars in the ID. family are
based on the new MEB platform
(modular electric drive matrix).
The new language of form corresponds to innovative technical Depending on the battery package, the range according to the
solutions: the ID. family concept cars do not have fixed centre new WLTP procedure will be between 330 and 550 kilometres.
pillars. Instead, the front and rear doors join to form a protective Either way, for the majority of customers – such as commuters
composite when closed. The rear doors open backwards to travelling short distances – the battery charge should easily
allow easy access to the open space. This is where the traditional last a week or more.
workspace for the driver becomes the interactive centre of a
lounge-like digital living space. The fully automated “ID. Pilot” The ID. BUZZ: a legend reborn
mode emphasises the spatial effect of this open concept. The production variant of the ID. BUZZ is set to hit the market
in 2022, transporting the feeling of freedom from the legend-
The start of the electric car offensive: ID.3 ary “Bulli” into the next era of mobility. Volkswagen Head of
In 2020, the first production model in the ID. Family – the Design, Klaus Bischoff, explains: “We have not used the ID. BUZZ
ID.3 – will launch Volkswagen’s offensive in the electric car as a retro design on 22-inch rims. Instead, we conceived the
segment. Similar to the study, the ID.3 will be just over four logical next step in the development of what is certainly the
metres long. The front and rear ends are separated by a con- most successful van design in the world.”
siderable wheelbase to give the impression of size, despite the
relatively short exterior. In contrast, the crisp chassis over- The zero-emission all-wheel drivetrain in the ID. BUZZ consists
hangs are noticeably shorter. of two electric motors, one on the rear axle and one on the
front (150 kW each). The electro-Bulli is a spatial miracle, pro-
»
viding up to eight seats and two luggage compartments, front
and rear. The steering wheel has been completely redesigned:
the functionality by far outstrips that of a typical multi-func-The ID. family
tional steering wheel. It does without traditional design available space. The newly-developed CleanAir system pro-
elements such as spokes and buttons, replacing these with a vides the best in tailored air conditioning on board. Regardless
type of touchpad that employs capacitive panels. of environmental conditions, in-car air will always be of the
highest quality.
The ID. range also boasts another new feature: the heads-up
display. It uses augmented reality to perform navigation tasks The luxury ID. VIZZION limousine
in the ID. BUZZ. Information, such as directions from the navi- The ID. VIZZION transfers the design DNA of the ID. models to
gation system, is projected virtually 7 to 15 metres ahead of the world of grand limousines. The controls transport you to
the front of the car. 2030, while automated driving to level 4 could well be avail-
able on certain routes in 2025. Speech and gesture controls
The ID. CROZZ crossover allow the ID. VIZZION to drive completely autonomously. As a
The production model of the ID. CROZZ is scheduled for launch smart device, the car becomes the chauffeur, as there are
at the end of 2020. The four-door coupé and sport utility some situations in which it does not require the driver’s atten-
vehicle (SUV) with 4MOTION four-wheel drive powertrain is tion. This allows the ID. VIZZION to provide its passengers with
characterised by a wide front end and contoured wings. The the freedom they need on the road – to relax, to communicate,
4.625-metre ID. CROZZ appears powerful and masculine, or to work.
thanks to the high-gloss black roof area. The two electric
motors generate a system performance of 225 kW (305 PS). The electric all-wheel drivetrain shows that the future is very
The car can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h and travel up to much now, as its two motors produce a system performance
500 kilometres on one battery charge. of 225 kW and a range of up to 600 kilometres.
The ID. CROZZ boasts a variable, lounge-style space concept.
The occupants can look forward to four separate integral seats
with luxury levels of legroom. It is also possible to completely
»
fold away the rear seats for efficient maximization of the38|39 The ID. CROZZ (top) combines the authority of an SUV with the dynamics of a coupe. The ID. VIZZION transfers the design DNA of the ID. models to the world of large saloon cars.
The ID. family
The chassis design of the ID. ROOMZZ has the
same clear, homogenous lines as the rest of
the ID. family. At the same time, it is also ex-
ploring new horizons in many details.40|41
The luxury ID. ROOMZZ SUV Automobile attitude to life: the ID. BUGGY
The ID. ROOMZZ is the multi-variable all-round model in the The ID. BUGGY conveys the same attitude to life as the
ID. family, based on the MEB. It is the sixth concept car and legendary Californian dune buggies from the 60s – with a
provides a first look at the upcoming production versions of fully-electric drivetrain and entirely MEB-based. 150 kW
the lounge-style, zero-emission SUV. performance and the open-topped, doorless construction of
the passenger compartment allow for dynamic movement –
In addition to an exterior design that sparkles with seamless in harmony with nature.
transitions, the special feature of this car is a new interior
architecture that concentrates on individuality and variability. The aluminium-steel-plastic body composite is self-support-
It has a range of seating configurations that can be adjusted ing. Thanks to the modular design, the upper body area can
to each driving mode. Top quality materials are used through- be detached from the MEB chassis. This would allow other
out, combined with the option to personalise the lighting manufacturers to use the base to produce the emission-free
elements. To allow the driver to get full enjoyment of this in- dune buggy of the next era.
terior, the production version will also have the full range of
IQ.DRIVE systems on board. Intelligent driver assistance will
turn any drive into a relaxing journey for all passengers. The
fully-electric luxury SUV will be on the market in China in
2021. Further markets will follow.
The ID. BUGGY is the reinterpretation
of the thoroughbred buggy – true to the
original style, without a fixed roof or
conventional doors.Profile: Romain Dumas
ROMAIN DUMAS
ALL-ROUND TALENT AT THE WHEEL
Romain Dumas is one of a dying breed in motorsport: a genuine all-rounder. The French-
man is equally at home at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as he is at the Rally Dakar, the Pikes
Peak hill climb, or the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. A profile.
Were he a footballer, Romain Dumas would probably be a travelling at. It took me a while to get used to it,” says Dumas,
utility player: someone who can play any position, from recalling his first drive in ID.R in April 2018.
defence to centre forward. However, Dumas is a racing driver.
One who has driven in pretty much every category over the Fast learner – fast driver
course of his career. His CV includes no fewer than eight During the season, he spends nearly every week behind the
victories in 24-hour races. He has triumphed in Le Mans at the wheel of a race car somewhere in the world. “Endurance races
wheel of Audi and Porsche sports car prototypes, and with the are my job, rallies and hill climbs are a hobby,” says Dumas. He
Porsche 911 at the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps. He has been back in the cockpit of the ID.R again in 2019, at tests
has also won the R-GT Cup in the World Rally Championship in preparation for the successful record attempt on the
and started at the Dakar Rally. Nürburgring-Nordschleife in June, then again for the forth-
coming challenges at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and on
However, even for the multi-talented driver from Alès in the Tianmen Mountain in China.
south of France, a fully-electric prototype was something
completely new last year. “The motors buzz quietly and there To cope with this packed schedule, Dumas heads to the Alps to
are no gears – at first, I thought I was sat in a spaceship. Only recharge his batteries: skiing in the winter, jogging in the
the view through the windscreen, the instruments and the summer. He lives with his partner Elysia and their son Gabin
centrifugal forces give you any idea of the speed you are near Geneva, Switzerland. However, even at home he simply
cannot stay away from motorsport – his basement is home to
a professional race simulator.42|43
Career at a glance
2019 Electric Lap Record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife
(Volkswagen ID.R) in 6:05.336 minutes
2018 Victory at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Volkswagen ID.R)
in 7:57.148 minutes (new all-time record)
Victory at Goodwood Festival of Speed (Volkswagen ID.R)
in 43.86 seconds (new record for electric cars)
2017 Victory at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Norma RD Limited)
1st place in FIA R-GT Cup (rallying, Porsche)
8th place at Dakar Rally (Peugeot)
2016 Victory at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Norma RD Limited)
World champion in FIA World Endurance Championship, incl.
Victory at 24h Le Mans (Porsche)
2014 Victory at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Norma RD Limited)
2011 Victory at 24h Nürburgring (Porsche)
2010 Victory at 24h Le Mans (Audi)
2009 Victory at 24h Nürburgring (Porsche)
2008 Winner of American Le Mans Series (LMP2, Porsche)
Victory at 24h Nürburgring (Porsche)
2007 Winner of American Le Mans Series (LMP2, Porsche)
Victory at 24h Nürburgring (Porsche)
2003 Victory at 24h Spa-Francorchamps (Porsche)
1995–2002 Various Formula racing series
1992–1994 KartingGoodwood Festival of Speed
THE GOODWOOD CHALLENGE
MISSION: TITLE DEFENCE
It is just one year since Romain Dumas, at the wheel of the Volkswagen ID.R, set the
electric record for the Goodwood Hillclimb, a short uphill sprint at the Goodwood Festival
of Speed. This year, he returns to defend his title.
Located in the south of England is the picturesque county of layout may not feature any hairpins or dramatic gradients, but
West Sussex. Every year since 1993, the Duke of Richmond, it is extremely narrow. The hay bales that line the track leave
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, has organised the Goodwood no room for errors and the asphalt is often dirty. As such, the
Festival of Speed near the British town of Chichester. In doing Goodwood Hillclimb is always good for a surprise.
so, he is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who
held the first motorsport event in Goodwood back in 1936. The return of two natural born winners
Last year, Romain Dumas and the ID.R set a new record for
The revitalised meeting at the Goodwood Circuit attracts electric cars on the short but demanding route. The
roughly 180,000 motorsport fans and enthusiasts every year. Frenchman crossed the finish line after just 43.86 seconds.
As such, it is no wonder that such racing greats as Stirling His average speed for the 1.86-kilometre track was over
Moss, Jochen Mass, Juan Pablo Montoya and Lewis Hamilton 150 kilometres per hour. As well as winning the hillclimb, this
have attended the event in the past. Vintage cars, classic cars, was also the fastest time for 15 years.
sports cars, rally cars and racing bikes – the crème de la crème
of motorsport can be found in Goodwood. The highlight of the In 2019, Volkswagen Motorsport returns to Goodwood with a
weekend is the Goodwood Hillclimb. This competition sees modified ID.R. Within the last year, the engineers have gained
vehicles from all eras go head-to-head, as they strive to set a great deal of experience with the ID.R and have continued to
the fastest time in their class on the 1.86-kilometre route. The develop the car. Weight and acceleration have a completely
different importance on a fast sprint track like the Goodwood
»44|45 In 2018 the duo carved out their e-record, in 2019 the ID.R and Romain Dumas return to Goodwood to defend their title.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood
Festival of Speed
Facts and figures
1.86 km
Length
41.60 sec.
All-time course record
43.86 sec.
Current course record for
In order to enable the ID.R to hold its
electric cars (ID.R)
ground on the sprint in 2019, Volkswagen
Motorsport has cut a considerable amount
of weight and opted for a more aggressive
energy management strategy.46|47
Hillclimb, compared to longer routes like the one on Pikes
Peak or the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. “We have developed
another evolutionary stage of the ID.R – a sprint version with
smaller batteries,” says François-Xavier Demaison, Technical
Director at Volkswagen Motorsport. “This reduces the weight
of our electric race car. The shorter distance means we can go
for a far more aggressive energy management strategy. The
“We have developed another
sprint in Goodwood demands very high power for a very short evolutionary stage of the ID.R –
time.” a sprint version with smaller
A standing start, narrow and dangerous passages, and dirty
batteries.”
asphalt – the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal test Sven Smeets,
platform for the revised version of the ID.R. Volkswagen Volkswagen Motorsport Director
Motorsport is testing a new tyre configuration here and, as it
did when it broke the electric record on the Nürburgring-
Nordschleife, will run on Bridgestone tyres. It is hugely
important to make the right tyre selection for this short race,
as the grip, both at the start and then later on in the race, is
largely responsible for the time it takes the cars to cross the
finish line.Tianmen Mountain
THE TIANMEN CHALLENGE
CLIMBING TO “HEAVEN’S GATE”
Volkswagen is focussing its strategy on e-mobility, and China is also putting the pedal
to the metal when it comes to electric cars. This autumn, Romain Dumas will take on a
unique challenge at the wheel of the ID.R on the road to “Heaven’s Gate” in China.
Tianmen Mountain in southeast China is one of the most “Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road” starts down in the valley at
primeval mountains on the planet. Over 3,000 mighty karst roughly 200 metres above sea level and climbs to a height of
pillars, several hundred metres in height, stretch up into the about 1,300 metres. The road winds its way up the mountain
sky. Their summits are almost always shrouded in thick fog or like a huge, tarmac snake. Few straight sections are longer
low-hanging clouds. It is this seemingly extra-terrestrial than 50 metres. In many places, the narrow road actually
landscape on the outskirts of the city of Zhangjiajie, with a passes back over itself. The steep ascent includes a total of
population of over one million, roughly 1,300 kilometres from 99 hairpins, which symbolise the nine palaces in heaven.
the capital Beijing as the crow flies, that is said to have been
the inspiration behind director James Cameron’s stunning It is in this very labyrinth that the ID.R, Volkswagen’s
scenery in his hit film “Avatar”. fully-electric race car, will take on its most extraordinary
challenge to date. “The Volkswagen ID.R is an icon, which
The link between heaven and earth perfectly embodies the passion for e-mobility in China and our
The Chinese believe that Tianmen Mountain forms the link expertise in the development of electric drive technology,”
between heaven and earth. The natives had no other says Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, Member of the Board of
explanation for a 131-metre high, 57-metre wide and 60- Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand and
metre deep opening in the rock. The so-called “Heaven’s Gate” CEO Volkswagen China. “We can use the experience gained in
is of great mystical importance, as are the 999 steps that form the field of motorsport to further enhance that expertise, and
»
the final “stairway to heaven”. can incorporate it into the assembly of electric production
models.”48|49
,
“The Volkswagen ID.R is an icon,
which perfectly embodies the
passion for e-mobility in China and
our expertise in the development of
electric drive technology.”
Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein,
Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen
Passenger Cars brand and CEO Volkswagen ChinaTianmen Mountain
Tianmen Mountain
Facts & figures
99
Hairpins symbolise the
nine palaces in heaven
10 km
Total length of road
1,110 m
Change in elevation50|51
Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets adds: “Tianmen
has a mystical status in China, where it is known as ‘Heaven’s
Gate’. The route to Tianmen is one of the most extraordinary
and difficult roads in the world – another special challenge for
the ID.R. Our goal is to set a new milestone for electric
“The route is one of the most
vehicles and, in doing so, to support Volkswagen’s e-strategy extraordinary and difficult roads
in China, which is really picking up speed this year.” in the world – another special
It will certainly be the most unusual record attempt so far for
challenge for the ID.R.”
the ID.R and driver Romain Dumas: “The route is very winding, Sven Smeets,
extremely narrow in places, and very uneven. It is certainly Volkswagen Motorsport Director
going to be a special experience. I am looking forward to this
new challenge.”Record-breaking cars
Modest engine power, huge top speed:
the aerodynamically-sophisticated
ARVW test vehicle.52|53
RECORD-BREAKING CARS
RECORDS FOR ETERNITY
Volkswagen vehicles have set many records. Some of them still stand
to this day. Take a look in the history books.
Den Gipfel stürmen – bei der Auslegung des
As
I.D. well asPeak
R Pikes success
suchtenindie
motor racing,
Ingenieure die world records are a good ARVW, the diesel ambassador
way of Balance
perfekte showcasing
zwischenthe potential
Kraft of new technology. The most
und Gewicht The success story of the diesel engine in the passenger car
important “World Land Speed Records” are officially approved sector began in the 1980s. Volkswagen wanted to use its
by the International Automobile Federation, the FIA. They ARVW test vehicle (Aerodynamic Research Volkswagen) to
exist for distances from a quarter of a mile (about 402 metres) show what this new technology “made in Wolfsburg” was
to 100,000 miles (about 161,000 kilometres), or for a period of capable of. One of the best locations to do so was the high-
time – up to 24 hours nowadays, up to a remarkable 168 hours speed track in the Southern Italian town of Nardò. In October
in the past. 1980, the five-metre long ARVW, with its aerodynamically-
sophisticated plastic bodywork (cw value: 0.15), embarked on
Although the importance of extreme endurance records has a momentous record attempt.
decreased nowadays, in light of regular tests amounting to
several million kilometres, manufacturers still like to go in Despite its unimpressive power output of 129 kW (175 PS),
pursuit of records. Whether with production cars or modified the concept car achieved a massive top speed of 362 km/h.
vehicles, they are forever pushing the boundaries of what is Even more remarkable was the fact that the ARVW set an
possible. Volkswagen has regularly set benchmarks in this average speed of 355.88 km/h in the first hour. The three-man
field. Here’s how. team of drivers set two world and six class records, two of
which still stand today1.
1
As of 07/2019
»Record-breaking cars
G-Lader survives litmus test
Volkswagen introduced a special forced-induction technology
– the so-called G-Lader – in the Polo in the mid-1980s. The
name refers to the inner structure of the G-Lader, which re- W12 Nardo provides the basis for the Phaeton
sembles the letter “G”. Technically speaking, the G-Lader was a Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Volkswagen launched
scroll compressor. While the turbocharger is rotated by the the Phaeton, a luxury-class saloon, the top-of-the-range model
flow of exhaust gas, the G-Lader is driven by a belt. of which was eventually available with a twelve-cylinder petrol
engine. To once again underline the brand’s technological ex-
To promote this technology, which was new to the passenger pertise, the CEO of Volkswagen AG sent another team to Nardò
car sector at the time, three modified Polo G40 cars with in pursuit of more records in October 2001. The performance
1.3-litre engines embarked on an endurance run at the of the new engine was increased to 441 kW (600 PS) –
Volkswagen Group test facility in Ehra-Lessien, near Wolfsburg, a spectacular achievement at that time. The concept car, the
in August 1985. With their power ramped up to 94 kW (129 PS), heart of which beat with twelve chambers, was named the
they set their sights on the 24-hour record – and broke it: the W12 Nardo. Six drivers alternated at the wheel of the super
G-Lader turbocharger passed the litmus test. Over the course sports car. By the end of the 24 hours, they had set ten world
of the 24-hour record attempt, the team set a new average and class records.
speed record for its class of car – 208 km/h – and also cracked
the 5,000-kilometre mark for the first time. The average speed over 24 hours was just under 300 km/h.
However, those involved were plagued by the fact that they
had just missed the magical 300 mark. A second attempt was
authorised. In February 2002, the team actually far surpassed
their own achievements and added another two records, tak-
ing their total number of world records to six. The most pres-
tigious of those was the average speed of 322.891 km/h over
a duration of 24 hours. Remarkably, the W12’s records still
stand today1.
As of 07/2019
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