Volkswagen ID R sets lead time in Pikes Peak qualifying day

The all-electric car\'s nearest competition was 11 seconds slower and propelled by internal combustion.

Volkswagen is already celebrating the ID R's performance days before its formal climb up Pikes Peak.

Piloted by Frenchman driver Romain Dumas, the all-electric racer set the fastest time in the qualifying day with a 3:16.083-minute run -- 11 seconds quicker than second-placed Simone Faggioli in a Norma M20 SF PKP with an internal combustion engine.

"That was a very good day for us," said Dumas. "I have never experienced acceleration and power like that in a racing car. I am noticing how the car and I are becoming more and more of a unit with every kilometer."

The car was only running the first section of the 12.4-mile course, launching from the starting line to the 5.2-mile mark.

The ID R is attempting to set a new record for electric vehicles, requiring a time better than 8:57.118 minutes. Dumas will have only one chance on Sunday, June 24.