Volkswagen ID.R Sets New Electric Record On The Nürburgring

The experimental Volkswagen ID.R, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, has shattered the  Nürburgring-Nordschleife record for electric vehicles by over 40 seconds. This is the third record set by the ID.R within the past year, having previously set best-of marks for electric cars at the Pikes Peak hillclimb and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

With an average speed of 127.36 mph, Dumas lapped the course in just 6:05.336, which actually puts it in second place for all ‘Ring record attempts, regardless of power source. The current best time for non-production cars at the ‘Ring is by the Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO, which turned in a 5:19.546 time in 2018. The previous record for electric vehicles at the ‘Ring’s northern course was set by Peter Dumbreck in 2017 in the NIO EP9.

The current iteration of the ID.R is powered by two electric motors with a combined 670 horsepower. Since the Pikes Peak event, VW’s engineers reworked the aerodynamics for maximum speed and tailored the energy management system to make sure the batteries maintained optimum charge for the duration of the Nordschleife lap.

Herbert Diess, VW Group chairman, said in a statement, “The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is not only the world’s most demanding race track, it is also the ultimate test for production vehicles. The ID.R has mastered this challenge with great distinction and has completed the fastest emission-free lap of all time. As further proof of its impressive performance capabilities, Volkswagen’s e-mobility can now proudly call itself ‘Nürburgring-approved’. I congratulate the team from Volkswagen Motorsport and driver Romain Dumas on the third record for the ID.R.”

Dumas, who has won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring four times, was ecstatic about setting a record at Germany’s most famous racetrack. “To be a record-holder on the Nordschleife makes me unbelievably proud,” he said. “For me, this is the best and most difficult race track in the world. I want to thank the team at Volkswagen Motorsport, who have once again done a fantastic job. The ID.R was perfectly prepared for the Nordschleife and it was so much fun to experience the blistering acceleration and rapid cornering speeds.”