Unplugged Performance unveils driverless Goldmember EV for Pikes Peak
Goldmember electric car: 1,020 hp driverless EV for Pikes Peak race
Unplugged Performance unveils driverless Goldmember EV for Pikes Peak
Unplugged Performance's Goldmember electric car has 1,020 hp and will race autonomously at Pikes Peak in 2026, testing extreme autonomous driving tech.
2026-04-03T23:49:22+03:00
2026-04-03T23:49:22+03:00
2026-04-03T23:49:22+03:00
Unplugged Performance has unveiled the Goldmember electric car with 1,020 horsepower, set to compete in the 2026 Pikes Peak race without a driver. The vehicle will tackle the 19-kilometer course with 156 turns entirely autonomously. For the market, this signals a new phase in autonomous driving development—testing in extreme conditions rather than on ordinary roads.Driverless Tech Takes on a Legendary CourseUnplugged Performance announced that the driverless Goldmember electric car will participate in the legendary Pikes Peak race. This marks the first time a fully autonomous vehicle will attempt to conquer the "Race to the Clouds" course.The project is built on the Cybercab robotaxi platform and represents an evolution of the company's previous racing programs.1,020 HP, 1.5 Seconds to 100 km/h, and Extreme AerodynamicsGoldmember features a three-motor electric powertrain producing 1,020 horsepower and around 1,420 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 1.5 seconds.Weighing roughly 1,900 kg, the aerodynamic bodywork generates downforce comparable to the car's weight—a critical factor for navigating the mountain circuit.The key technology is the Full Self-Driving: Hillclimb system, adapted for 156 turns and an elevation change exceeding 1,500 meters.Unlike traditional race cars, Goldmember has no driver—control is entirely handed over to algorithms. This represents a radical departure even from advanced Level 2–3 ADAS systems.Pikes Peak was chosen deliberately as one of the world's most challenging circuits, where engineering limits are tested. If the system succeeds here, it could be adapted for public roads.The project also competes less with other vehicles and more with human drivers, making it a unique case for the industry.In practice, this means shifting from driver-assist systems to full vehicle control without human input—with motorsport serving as the proving ground for this transformation.
Unplugged Performance, Goldmember electric car, driverless car, Pikes Peak race, autonomous vehicle, electric vehicle, 1020 horsepower, Full Self-Driving Hillclimb, EV technology, automotive racing
2026
Michael Powers
news
Goldmember electric car: 1,020 hp driverless EV for Pikes Peak race
Unplugged Performance's Goldmember electric car has 1,020 hp and will race autonomously at Pikes Peak in 2026, testing extreme autonomous driving tech.
Michael Powers, Editor
Unplugged Performance has unveiled the Goldmember electric car with 1,020 horsepower, set to compete in the 2026 Pikes Peak race without a driver. The vehicle will tackle the 19-kilometer course with 156 turns entirely autonomously. For the market, this signals a new phase in autonomous driving development—testing in extreme conditions rather than on ordinary roads.
Driverless Tech Takes on a Legendary Course
Unplugged Performance announced that the driverless Goldmember electric car will participate in the legendary Pikes Peak race. This marks the first time a fully autonomous vehicle will attempt to conquer the "Race to the Clouds" course.
The project is built on the Cybercab robotaxi platform and represents an evolution of the company's previous racing programs.
1,020 HP, 1.5 Seconds to 100 km/h, and Extreme Aerodynamics
Goldmember features a three-motor electric powertrain producing 1,020 horsepower and around 1,420 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 1.5 seconds.
Weighing roughly 1,900 kg, the aerodynamic bodywork generates downforce comparable to the car's weight—a critical factor for navigating the mountain circuit.
The key technology is the Full Self-Driving: Hillclimb system, adapted for 156 turns and an elevation change exceeding 1,500 meters.
Unlike traditional race cars, Goldmember has no driver—control is entirely handed over to algorithms. This represents a radical departure even from advanced Level 2–3 ADAS systems.
Pikes Peak was chosen deliberately as one of the world's most challenging circuits, where engineering limits are tested. If the system succeeds here, it could be adapted for public roads.
The project also competes less with other vehicles and more with human drivers, making it a unique case for the industry.
In practice, this means shifting from driver-assist systems to full vehicle control without human input—with motorsport serving as the proving ground for this transformation.
