A specially prepared Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV will enter the National Off-Road Racing Association Mexican 1000 race on 25 April 2021 in the Baja peninsula of Mexico.

Driven by professional racer and Volkswagen brand ambassador Tanner Foust and managed by Tanner Foust Racing, the Rhys Millen Racing modified rear-wheel-drive ID.4 1st Edition model will run its stock powertrain and 82kWh battery pack with a modified off-road suspension and racing interior for the 1,770km-long competition.

Volkswagen has a long history of off-road racing in Baja, as a Beetle-based Meyers Manx was the first winner of the inaugural NORRA Mexican 1000 in 1967. The modern version of the race features several classes of classic and contemporary off-road vehicles and motorcycles, with this year's route covering a total of 1,836km 1,437 of which will be off-pavement.

To charge the ID.4 in the wilds of the Baja, the Volkswagen team will use a portable biofuel generator powering a 50kW portable fast charger. As the NORRA Mexico 1000 race will be run in loops due to COVID travel restrictions, the team will attempt to complete about 98% of the stages in the loop event without the need for recharging.

While the 198bhp electric motor, battery pack and drive systems have not been altered, the vehicle's power electronics have been given extra protection from the elements for off-road racing. The interior of the ID.4 has been stripped of features such as the HVAC system and modified with a roll cage, safety racing seats and supplemental screens for key data like battery temperature.

The suspension was also thoroughly reworked with rally-style coil-over struts at all wheels and tubular lower control arms in the front and boxed lower rear links. Additional steel skid plates have also been added to the undercarriage. The ID.4 was also swapped from 19-inch wheels to 18-inch wheels with 255/70 R18 tyres that provide more sidewall for cushioning and wheel travel, with the body lifted a total of about 5cm from stock.