WVW Worx

Main Menu

  • Volkswagen News
  • Volkswagen Emissions
  • Volkswagen credit
  • Volkswagen Electric
  • Banking

WVW Worx

Header Banner

WVW Worx

  • Volkswagen News
  • Volkswagen Emissions
  • Volkswagen credit
  • Volkswagen Electric
  • Banking
Volkswagen Electric
Home›Volkswagen Electric›VW ID.4 becomes first production electric car to complete 1,350 km off-road race

VW ID.4 becomes first production electric car to complete 1,350 km off-road race

By Raymond J. Nowicki
May 21, 2021
0
0



A specially prepared version of Volkswagen’s hugely popular ID.4 electric SUV completed the National Off-Road Racing Association’s (NORRA) Mexican 1000 Race in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the first production electric vehicle to cover the 1350 kilometers (840 mile race).

Driven by professional driver and Volkswagen brand ambassador Tanner Foust – who was also involved in modifying the production ID.4 1st RWD Edition with Rhus Millen Racing for off-road use – the ID.4 ran its original powertrain and 82 kWh battery pack with modified off-road suspension and a racing interior.

Out of 90 cars and trucks entered in the NORRA 1000, Tanner Foust and the ID.4 were one of the 64 vehicles to complete the entire race with stages of 50 to 270 km. The ID.4 was able to recharge mainly using a portable generator powered by biofuel connected to a 50 kW charger.

There have been a few instances, however, where the loader was not available for the intended transit between stages where the ID.4 was towed flat behind a pursuit vehicle for a short distance, using par braking. recovery to increase autonomy.

“It was everything we hoped for,” said Tanner Foust. “The course was difficult, but the ID.4 was more than up to the tasks we asked him to do. It demonstrates the real potential of EV technology to make an impact in all kinds of areas that we are only just beginning to explore. “

As one can imagine during a 1350 kilometer race through the desert terrain of Baja, Mexico, the terrain and conditions were demanding, but the ID.4 finished the race with its 201 horsepower electric motor, its battery and its drive systems.

Foust and the ID.4 were no contenders for the podiums, finishing close to the back of the finisher field and more than 22 hours behind the leader. But winning the race was never considered as the top three were heavily equipped off-road buggies.

Image source: https://www.facebook.com/NorraFanPage/posts/303647407873418

Other changes to the ID.4 for racing included a reworked suspension package with rally-style coil-sprung struts on all four wheels and tubular lower control arms up front and lower arms. back in box. The vehicle’s radiator was also raised several inches to improve approach angles and cooling capacity, while additional 3/8 inch steel skid plates were added to the undercarriage.

And, at the end of the race, the only damage the ID.4 suffered, despite the demanding conditions in the Baja region, was a few cosmetic injuries to the rear bumper.

Image source: https://media.vw.com/en-us/gallery/images/13326

All of the modified ID.4’s major power, battery and control systems performed as expected, operating primarily in the “B” level battery regeneration mode with the original traction on.

“It was an exciting test of ID.4 technology as no other production-based electric vehicle had ever participated in this event, let alone completed it.” says Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Volkswagen of America.

“Kudos to our team for demonstrating that EVs can withstand extreme environments and showing just how fun EVs can be. The ID.4 could certainly be the Baja Bug of the Electric Age.



Related posts:

  1. One in Four Consumers Consider Buying an Electric Car, Study Finds
  2. How will electric cars reshape the automotive industry?
  3. Volkswagen applies the agency sales model to the Group’s brands
  4. BYD to start delivering electric vehicles to Norway by Q3 TechNode

Recent Posts

  • What does the future of the Ford Focus look like?
  • Autonomy orders 23,000 EVs from 17 automakers for US EV subscription service
  • Mahindra will launch the all-electric XUV800 and electric coupe SUV by July 2024
  • Crewe Volkswagen Apprentice Technician Will Kinson is recommended to the Elite Apprenticeship Group. – FE messages
  • The next-gen Mitsubishi Triton won’t get a V6

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021

Categories

  • Banking
  • Volkswagen credit
  • Volkswagen Electric
  • Volkswagen Emissions
  • Volkswagen News
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy