Tyre maker Kumho Tyres has thrown its support behind Volkswagen’s unique and memorable celebration to mark 70 years in Australia and the production start of its ID range of battery electric vehicles.
To celebrate the milestone Volkswagen is attempting to break a Guinness World Record in achieving the biggest GPS image ever made by a vehicle.
The World Record attempts is being undertaken by Rainer Zeitlow, who is the holder of multiple endurance driving records, and he will attempt to write “70 years of VeeDub” via the GPS tracking electronic trail left behind as he drives across the wilds of the Australian outback.
Zeitlow will be driving a Volkswagen ID.4 battery electric SUV equipped with Kumho HP71EV in 235/55R19 sizing as he weaves his way across a number of states and territories as he tries to capture the record and write the slogan and his name in the history books.
Following the record attempt Rainer will cap off the commemoration with a lap of Australia that will finish off a massive 33,000km seven week journey.
Earlier this year Volkswagen announced it had chosen the Kumho HP71 as its OE fit on the new ID.4 when it debuts on the Australian market later this year.
The Kumho HP71EV have been specifically engineered and designed for battery electric cars with special attention being paid to ride comfort, rolling resistance and durability.
The seven week Volkswagen commemoration journey will be a stern test for any tyre with Rainer Zeitlow traversing some of the harshest, hottest and most difficult conditions anywhere in the world.
Kumho Tyres Australia’s director of sales and marketing, David Basha said the tyres will be up to the challenge and will ensure the new battery electric Volkswagen’s will be able to tackle the toughest conditions, safe in the knowledge the tyres won’t let them down.
“Kumho has a growing portfolio of OE supply contracts with Volkswagen one of the largest automotive groups in the world, in particular a recently announced contract to supply tyres for the newly unveiled Multivan T7 along with other models yet to be announced,” said Basha.
“Kumho Tyres’ collaboration with Volkswagen is part of a broader strategy to expand tyre supply through strategic partnerships with major global automakers,” he added.
The company has been supplying original equipment tyres for flagship electric vehicle models of major automakers, showcasing its top-level product technology and premium brand value.
Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) managing director, Karsten Seifert said a new chapter has begun not only for the brand, but for all of Volkswagen Group Australia brands.
“Submitting a standard ID.4 to a ‘torture test’ of this scale tells customers that Volkswagen offers the highest quality, durability, range capability and a nationwide network to support them,” he added.
“Volkswagen’s first for ID vehicles will be in showrooms by year’s end with more to come in 2025,” Szaniecki said.
Volkswagen also said that production has commenced for Australia’s initial allocation of its first four Volkswagen battery electric vehicles, the ID.4 Pro, the ID.5 GTX, the ID.Buzz and the iconic ID.Buzz Cargo.
Volkswagen is collaborating with Rainer Zeitlow, holder of multiple endurance driving records. Driving his ID.4 battery electric SUV, he is attempting to inscribe “70 years of VeeDub” (as Aussies affectionately call VW) will be ‘written’ across several states.
He will then ‘frame’ this image by circumnavigating the entire country, a seven week, 33,000km epic drive during which Volkswagen’s game-changing electric SUV will be introduced to customers and hardcore “VeeDub” fans en route.
At the time of writing the Zeitlow Volkswagen trek is well underway and can be followed at the trek, which can be followed here.