You may remember that, in early September, Volkswagen and Romain Dumas set a world record time for driving up the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road in China.

Dumas conquered the 10.9km, 99-turn road in 7mins 38.585secs, but much of the Internet quickly dismissed the record given that there was no timed competition for the Frenchman to beat. Now though, VW has released the onboard footage from that run.

The best way to describe the video above is probably ‘wince-inducing’. Seriously, we hope you wore your brown pants today, because this isn’t an easy watch.

There might not be any engine noise to accompany the ID.R’s massive speed, but the way it launches itself off the line and out of every single corner is mightily impressive. The bumpy, twisty surface and 670bhp at hand also ensure that Dumas is constantly working at the wheel – it’s a mega piece of driving.

Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the humongous drops at the side of the road should Romain put the car even an inch out of place. The ID.R now holds records at Tianmen Mountain, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Nürburgring and Pikes Peak.

STORY Greg Potts