Professional Motorsport World
  • News
    • A-E
      • Bodywork
      • Business Services
      • Chassis
      • Circuit News
      • Data Capture
      • Driver Safety
      • Electric Motorsport
      • Engine Technology
    • F-N
      • Karting
      • Legislative
      • Logistics
      • Materials
      • New Competition Car
    • O-S
      • Off Road
      • R&D
      • Race Series News
      • Safety
      • Show News
      • Simulation
      • Single Seaters
    • T-Z
      • Team News
      • Tin Tops
      • Tyres
      • Transmissions
      • Workshop
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • October 2024
    • September 2023
    • 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • PMW Expo
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Tire
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Instagram
Subscribe
Professional Motorsport World
  • News
      • Aerodynamics
      • Bodywork
      • Business Services
      • Chassis
      • Circuit News
      • Data Acquisition
      • Driver Safety
      • Electric Motorsport
      • Engine Technology
      • Karting
      • Legislative
      • Logistics
      • Materials
      • New Competition Car
      • Off Road
      • R&D
      • Race Series News
      • Safety
      • Show News
      • Simulation
      • Single Seaters
      • Team News
      • Testing
      • Tyres
      • Transmissions
      • Workshop
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. October 2024
    2. September 2023
    3. 2022
    4. September 2021
    5. April 2020
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    9th October 2024

    In this Issue – October 2024

    Online Magazines By Lawrence Butcher
    Recent

    In this Issue – October 2024

    9th October 2024

    In this Issue – September 2023

    21st September 2023

    In this Issue – 2022

    4th October 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • PMW Expo
LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube
Subscribe
Professional Motorsport World
Bodywork

VW discusses the lightweighting techniques behind the ID R Pikes Peak

Sam PettersBy Sam Petters30th May 20184 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMlkrO-okUM&feature=youtu.be

Focused on finding the optimal compromise between performance and weight, VW details the development process behind its racing EV

It started with simulations. “Before we actually assembled the ID R Pikes Peak, we used computers to analyze a multitude of different configurations,” says Willy Rampf, technical advisor to the project and a man with a wealth of Formula 1 experience, recalling the start of the development of the car for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. “It was clear to us that we would not have time to build multiple test vehicles. We had to get it right at the first attempt.”

The trials focused on finding the optimal compromise between performance and weight. Both factors are even more dependent on each other in an electric car like the ID R Pikes Peak than in a racing car with a conventional combustion engine. The simple rule of thumb is: the greater the performance, the heavier the batteries required.

However, every single gram is unwanted weight – particularly at a hill climb. On Pikes Peak, the cars must overcome a difference in altitude of more than 1,400m – from the start at 2,862m to the finish line at 4,302m above sea level. Romain Dumas, at the wheel of the ID R Pikes Peak, will also be faced with a series of hairpin turns, where a heavy car would be a disadvantage when braking and accelerating out of corners.

As such, the Volkswagen Motorsport engineers decided on the following strategy: the ID R Pikes Peak was to be as light as possible, while still maintaining a very high level of performance. The framework for this strategy was provided by the regulations for the most famous hill climb in the world, which offers virtually limitless freedom in the ‘Unlimited’ class.

Being given the proverbial blank sheet of paper and told to develop a new racing car from scratch is a dream for any engineer. “To develop a car solely for this 20km hill climb is a very special task. There were virtually no bounds to the innovation shown by the engineers,” says François-Xavier Demaison, technical director at Volkswagen Motorsport.

“Simulation played a major role in achieving the low weight of the car,” explains Rampf. For example, computers were used to design chassis parts in such a way that they are able to cope with the anticipated loads without any problems, and without appearing oversized – or overweight. However, the development team almost completely dispensed with the standard but extremely expensive materials commonly used in top-class motor racing, such as titanium. “The chassis, wheel suspensions and safety structure of the ID R Pikes Peak are almost completely made of steel and aluminum,” says Demaison.

Despite this, and while still generating a top performance of 680ps, the car, complete with driver, weighs less than 1,100kg – lightweight compared to previous record-breaking cars in the Pikes Peak category for electric cars.

The relatively low performance allowed the battery blocks for the ID R Pikes Peak to be made so compact that they could be positioned next to and behind the driver, thus ensuring perfect weight distribution. They provide the energy for an electric engine on both the front and rear axles, while torque distribution is managed electronically.

The ID R Pikes Peak’s chassis and aerodynamic components are made of an extremely light carbon-fiber/Kevlar composite. One of the tasks faced during the design phase was to integrate design elements from the ID family – Volkswagen’s future range of fully-electric vehicles – in the exterior of the Pikes Peak racing car. “During this phase of development, we worked particularly closely with our Volkswagen colleagues in Wolfsburg,” recalls Willy Rampf.

The cockpit of the ID R Pikes Peak, a monocoque structure, is also made of ultra-light carbon fiber. The extent to which the engineers were willing to go to reduce weight is exemplified by the driver’s equipment.

Technology partner OMP made driver Dumas’s fire-resistant race overall, as well as the seat padding and six-point harness, from particularly light material. Even the sponsors’ logos are printed onto the overall, to save the weight of conventional patches.

However, the lightweight perfectionists at Volkswagen Motorsport did have to give in on one point: the regulations of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb stipulate that each driver must wear a large event emblem, roughly 40cm² in size, on their race overall. The plan was to have this logo printed on Dumas’s overall too. “That was rejected. According to the regulations, it has to be sewn on. The thread used for that weighs almost as much as the entire overall,” adds technical director Demaison.

 

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleSAP named business performance partner for Mercedes EQ Formula E Team
Next Article Schaeffler transfers Formula E technology to an Audi RS3

Related Posts

Bodywork

Kammanufaktur to present latest 912c restomods in USA and Europe

14th May 20252 Mins Read
Materials

Porsche develops TABASKO lightweight construction method

14th May 20254 Mins Read
New Competition Car

Ginetta reveals new GT2 car

13th May 20254 Mins Read
Latest News

Bosch to introduce H2 concept at Le Mans 24 Hours

16th May 2025

Kammanufaktur to present latest 912c restomods in USA and Europe

14th May 2025

WRC Commission’s draft WRC 2027 regulations feature a new bodywork chapter

14th May 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • Cascadia Motion LLC
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet The Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
RELATED UKI TOPICS
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Tire
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category.
elementorneverThe website's WordPress theme uses this cookie. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

CookieDurationDescription
OAGEOsessionOpenX sets this cookie to avoid the repeated display of the same ad.
OAID1 yearCookie set to record whether the user has opted out of the collection of information by the AdsWizz Service Cookies.
test_cookie15 minutesdoubleclick.net sets this cookie to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysYouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYoutube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextIdneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requestsneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieDurationDescription
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
vuid1 year 1 month 4 daysVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos on the website.
_ga1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesCloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by