BY Sebastien Bell | Posted on
Volkswagen’s ID.4 electric racer has completed its 840-mile journey through the Baja Peninsula as part of the NORRA 1000 race, which only 64 of the 90 entrants were able to finish.
The SUV was driven by Tanner Foust with Emme Hall acting as navigator. The ID.4 itself was prepared by Rhys Millen Racing and equipped with an off-road focused suspension featuring rally-style coilover struts, tubular lower control arms and boxed lower rear links.
The interior was also stripped, while racing seats and additional racing-focused displays were added. The radiator, meanwhile, was raised to improve approach angles and cooling capacity, while skid plates were added for extra protection.
It s achieved what no production EV has done before.
Over the weekend, Volkswagen participated in the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) Mexican 1000 race, a grueling competition mostly filled with dedicated off-road vehicles. Ford competed as well, ending with a third-place finish in a Bronco. Though the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 didn t earn a podium finish at the event, but simply finishing in a near-stock electric vehicle is impressive.
The ID.4 managed to survive 840 miles of off-road racing, which is more than can be said of the Lordstown Endurance, which gave up after 40 miles in Baja. Driven by brand ambassador Tanner Foust, the ID.4 was one of 64 vehicles out of 90 to finish the NORRA 1000. Off-road racer and automotive journalist Emme Hall helped, completing two stages.
Volkswagen ID.4 becomes the first-ever production EV to complete the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road race
4 May 2021 10:01 am / 0 comments
Fresh from winning the 2021 World Car of the Year award last month, the Volkswagen ID.4 has now been announced as the first production electric vehicle to complete the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) Mexican 1000 off-road race in the Baja peninsula or Mexico.
The successful attempt was meant to showcase the capabilities of the ID.4’s powertrain in incredibly demanding conditions and terrain. Out of 90 vehicles entered the race, the EV was one of the 64 vehicles that managed to cross the finish line while only receiving a few modifications.
A Portable Generator Has Helped the VW ID.4 EV Complete an Off-Road Race 3 May 2021, 17:22 UTC ·
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Out of 90 cars and trucks entered in the NORRA Mexican 1000, only 64 vehicles finished the off-road race. With the help of racing driver and brand ambassador Tanner Foust, a modified ID.4 electric crossover had no problems driving 840 miles (1,352 kilometers) over very rough terrain. 10 photos
The German automaker entered this event with the sole purpose of demonstrating the capabilities of the MEB vehicle architecture, which underpins the only EV that Volkswagen sells in the United States nowadays. But like any other EV, the ID.4 is limited by the range of its battery pack.
VW ID.4 Successfully Completed NORRA Mexican 1000 Off-Road Race
May 03, 2021 at 4:35pm ET ++ It s the first production-based electric car that entered and also completed the race.
The slightly modified version of the Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition (RWD) successfully completed the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) Mexican 1000 off-road race on April 29 in the Baja peninsula of Mexico.
It s a huge success as the ID.4 has become the first electric car that ever entered this event. Moreover, ID.4 completed the entire race as one of 64 vehicles out of 90 total (29% did not complete the race).
The car had a stock powertrain and an 82 kWh battery pack with a modified off-road suspension and racing interior (prepared for off-road use by Rhys Millen Racing).