Volkswagen Breaks All-Time Pikes Peak Record With 7:57 EV Run
HillClimb Monsters
Romain Dumas piloted the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R up the mountain course in 7:57.148, beating the outright record by over 16 seconds to establish electric propulsion as motorsport's new hillclimb benchmark.
AI-assisted summary of PIKES PEAK All Time Record || VW I.D. R Full EV Monster - Fans’ Perspective — original source. Check the original for full context.
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Key ideas
- Romain Dumas and Volkswagen Motorsport shattered the all-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record in the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R prototype with an official time of 7:57.148. (3:45)
- The 7:57.148 run eclipsed Sébastien Loeb's previous course record in the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Special by more than 16 seconds, marking the first sub-eight-minute run in the event's history. (3:45)
- Trackside amateur footage demonstrates stunned spectator reactions across mountain vantage points, driven by the electric prototype's instant acceleration and high-downforce cornering speeds. (0:00)
- Summit communications and race marshals confirmed the milestone timing over track radios amidst calls of disbelief and crowd control instructions at the finish line. (3:45)
Detailed notes
## Background Published on YouTube by HillClimb Monsters on June 27, 2018, this video compiles amateur fan clips from race day capturing Romain Dumas and Volkswagen Motorsport breaking the overall Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record. Driving the all-electric, high-downforce VW I.D. R prototype, Dumas conquered the mountain in a historic 7:57.148, beating Sébastien Loeb's previous benchmark by over 16 seconds.
## TL;DR The video presents an unfiltered, spectator-level view of Romain Dumas piloting the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R up the technical switchbacks and sweeping corners of Pikes Peak. Along the hillsides and rocky outcrops, trackside fans react with genuine shock and stunned profanities at the prototype's silent, blistering cornering speeds and instant acceleration. Near the summit, track marshals manage crowds amid bustling radio traffic before official timing channels confirm the historic 7:57 finish, shattering the mountain's outright record.
## Atmosphere & style The video carries a raw, visceral, and awe-struck atmosphere, driven entirely by authentic amateur footage and candid reactions. The soundscape contrasts the distinctive high-pitched hum of the electric powertrain with sudden, breathless gasps and profanities echoing across the mountainside. It builds from pure trackside shock at the vehicle's unnatural cornering speed into tense, celebratory commotion at the finish line as crackling radios reveal the unprecedented sub-eight-minute time.
## Bulletin - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) Romain Dumas and Volkswagen Motorsport shattered the all-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record in the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R prototype with an official time of 7:57.148. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) The 7:57.148 run eclipsed Sébastien Loeb's previous course record in the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Special by more than 16 seconds, marking the first sub-eight-minute run in the event's history. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) Trackside amateur footage demonstrates stunned spectator reactions across mountain vantage points, driven by the electric prototype's instant acceleration and high-downforce cornering speeds. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) Summit communications and race marshals confirmed the milestone timing over track radios amidst calls of disbelief and crowd control instructions at the finish line.
## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) Romain Dumas piloted the Volkswagen I.D. R to claim the outright overall hillclimb record at Pikes Peak. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) The vehicle completed the full mountain course in 7:57.148, breaking the previous record by over 16 seconds. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) The historic run surpassed Sébastien Loeb's benchmark set in the internal combustion Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Special. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) The fully electric prototype is reported to produce approximately 680 horsepower while weighing around 1,100 kg. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) Spectators stationed along hillsides, rocks, and guardrails reacted with audible shock and exclamations to the vehicle's pace. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) The car's instant electric torque and extreme downforce allowed it to exit apexes and switchbacks with unprecedented velocity. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) The distinctive, high-pitched electric powertrain contrasted sharply with traditional combustion hillclimb race cars. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) Summit track marshals had to actively instruct crews and spectators to stand back as Dumas crossed the finish line. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) Radio and timing personnel audibly confirmed the historic '757' timing benchmark at the top of the mountain. - [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) The record-setting run signaled a major technological milestone for electric vehicles across global motorsport.
## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=0s) Spectator Reactions Across the Mountain Course
Spectators positioned along various vantage points of the Pikes Peak mountain course watch in real-time as Romain Dumas hurtles up the hill in the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R prototype. Perched on hillsides, rocky outcrops, and guardrail banks, fans react with unfiltered shock at the machine's blistering pace, sharp cornering speeds, and distinctive electric powertrain sound. As the car flashes past through sweeping turns and technical switchbacks, attendees can be heard exclaiming in disbelief, shouting, “Woah!” and “Oh, wow.”
The sheer cornering grip and acceleration of the electric prototype repeatedly catch trackside observers off guard. Each pass produces visceral reactions as fans take in the vehicle's speed compared to conventional combustion racers. Gasps of “Holy crap” and stunned profanities echo along the mountainside, with spectators blurting out, “There it is. Holy shit god,” as the sleek racer darts out of the apexes and vanishes rapidly up the mountain corridor.
- Spectator vantage points capture the high-downforce prototype carving through mid-mountain turns with instant torque. - Fan reactions remain consistently stunned, marked by spontaneous shouts of awe and profanity as the silent, high-pitched machine speeds past.
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[03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM&t=225s) Finish Line Chatter and the Historic 7:57 Run
Near the summit and finish area, the atmosphere shifts from spectator amazement to official race communications, trackside personnel instructions, and the realization of what has just occurred. Race officials and team crews communicate over the radios and shouting voices, calling out sector information and track status with remarks such as “Got it,” “FIRE,” and “GREAT STUFF.” Track marshals actively manage the surrounding crowd and personnel near the vehicle rollout area, urging bystanders to give the car room: “STAY BACK, PLEASE.”
Amid the controlled chaos, the magnitude of the achievement sinks in as onlookers and officials exclaim, “UNBELIEVABLE.” Confirmation comes over the radio and timing channels announcing the final time of "757," marking the vehicle's historic 7:57.148 finish—shattering the all-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record and cementing the electric monster's unprecedented benchmark.
- Officials and marshals direct personnel at the summit, cautioning the arriving group to hold their positions: “YEAH, just wait.” - The timing confirmation highlights the milestone 7:57 finish, confirming Dumas had broken the previous outright mountain course record.
## Mentioned Romain Dumas, Volkswagen Motorsport, Volkswagen I.D. R, Sébastien Loeb, Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Special, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, HillClimb Monsters, Sirish Chandran, Vinayak Pande, Sean Davis
## Video description Romain Dumas and Volkswagen Motorsport achieved what is probably the greatest Hillclimb Racing Feat of them All: beating the Overall Record of Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
Running the Full Course in 7:57,148, over 16 seconds faster than Sebastien Loeb in the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Special, this Fully Electric Monster marks a new point in not only Hillclimbing but also Motorsports in general.
Now the question is if the public will receive this success positively.. If the public´s reaction to when it passed is anything to go by, then at the very least they will be tremendously impressed. This video is composed mostly of Amateur footage taken on Race day so reactions to this (supposedly..) 680Hp/1100Kg Monster are as genuine as it gets.
Special Thanks to the Original Posters of some of the Clips provided. Down below are disclosed their names along with where to find the Original content:
Sirish Chandran Vinayak Pande Sean Davis ( https://www.youtube.com/user/germannerd1 )
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkanwIIBaKx/?taken-by=sirishchandran https://www.instagram.com/p/Bka4d7vBIaR/?hl=en&taken-by=vpande53 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkbbki3HuPa/
[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJaGAMWjHM)