Volkswagen ID.R heads to China for next hill-climb record

The route up Tianmen Mountain has 99 hairpin turns.

Volkswagen's ID.R prototype racer is heading to China to set another hill-climb record on Tianmen Mountain.

Known as Big Gate Road, the 6.2-mile route has no less than 99 hairpin turns as it ascends approximately 3,600 feet. Tourists follow the same route in buses to see the Heaven's Gate natural rock arch near the 4,982-foot summit.

The ID.R already has a few records under its belt, starting with the June 2018 all-time record at Pikes Peak and an all-time record at Goodwood Festival of Speed a few weeks later.

Tianmen Mountain apparently has no formal hill-climb race, though automakers occasionally secure the route for individual records. Land Rover last year took its Range Rover SVR up the mountain in 9 minutes 51 seconds, notably beating the Ferrari 458's benchmark time of 10 minutes 31 seconds.

The ID.R will presumably smash both times and help the German automaker promote its brand in the world's largest automotive market.