VW: stark contrasts at the Klausen Pass
E-AUTO ON OLDTIME COURSE The VW ID.4 GTX, the sporty top model of the ID family, has mastered the legendary mountain course on the Klausen Pass with driver Christian Traber - almost like the 1939 Talbot Lago once did. For the 21.5 kilometers and 1237 meters of altitude difference of the Klausen Memorial Mountain Race, Christian Traber needed 14:03 minutes in his 1939 Talbot Lago in 2013 [...]
In 2013, Christian Traber needed 14:03 minutes for the 21.5 kilometers and 1237 meters of altitude of the Klausen Memorial hill climb in his 1939 Talbot Lago and thus won the Competition classification.
It felt very different from his classic car with a 4.5-liter engine and 180 hp when he drove over the pass in the new, all-electric ID.4 GTX, because two electric motors with a combined 220 kW drove all four wheels.
Already full power from standstill
While the classic car required a first gear change after a few meters, the electric car pulled away smoothly without interruption because the 400 Newton meters are available continuously from the first meter. "It's almost like driving a go-kart," commented Christian Traber.
It easily reached 80 km/h by the first corner, and over the cobblestones the ID.4 GTX was able to show off its physical advantages for the first time. The 486-kilogram battery pack in the underbody ensures a low center of gravity, while the control systems and sports suspension do the rest.
More dangerous than the track in Monaco
Christian Traber, a former top manager, has been running Graber Sportgarage in Toffen since 2004, specializing in the maintenance and restoration of classic sports cars. He also looks after customers at race weekends together with his crew of mechanics.
This year, Christian Traber won the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco in the Talbot Lago. The street canyons in the principality require a lot of driving skill, but the respect for the Klausen circuit was even a touch greater for the test driver.
Christian Traber: "I have done many races in my life but none was as dangerous as here on the Klausen Pass."
Sport mode and progressive steering
The adaptive dampers of the ID.4 GTX literally make the vehicle stick to the bumpy surface of the Urner soil in Sport mode, and the progressive steering supports with precise interventions. The sports seats offer good lateral support and are always comfortable.
The modern VW did not manage the winning time of 2013. For that, the track would have to be closed and the maximum speed limit lifted.
Nevertheless, ChristianTraber's conclusion was positive: "The ID.4 GTX has succeeded very well in combining sportiness, comfort and e-mobility."
