Volkswagen has its sights firmly set on a world record. Specifically, the record for the fastest electric vehicle to complete the full 12.42-mile Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course. And judging by its performance in qualifying, it’s Volkswagen’s record to forfeit…

The current record of 8:57.118 for the 156-corner course was set in 2016 by American Rhys Millen. VW is gunning for the record with its I.D. R – a 670bhp all-electric prototype that can do 0-62mph in 2.25 seconds, weighs just 1,100kg and sports the biggest wing on any vehicle not capable of actual flight. You can read all about it by clicking on these words. Behind the wheel will be three-time Le Mans winner, and three-time Pikes Peak winner Romain Dumas.

Qualifying for Pikes Peak doesn’t take place over the full course – just the first 5.2 miles. Dumas set a  time of 3:16.083 - 11.049 seconds quicker than second-place man Simone Faggioli in his internal-combustion engined Norma M20 SF PKP. So Dumas will start his one and only assault on the record at around 10am on the 24th of June – the first of 62 cars across six different categories.

The outright record is 8:13.878, set five years ago by many-time WRC champ Seb Loeb in a rather special Peugeot 208. Could VW challenge that record too? We hope so…