Volkswagen ID.R Sets New EV Record on The Nürburgring

Well, VW didn’t have to cheat on the diesel emissions with an EV.

The Volkswagen ID.R, powered by two electric motors, lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:05.336 minutes – faster than any electric vehicle before it. Romain Dumas (F) beat the previous record set by Peter Dumbreck (GB, NIO EP9) in 2017 by 40.564 seconds. Video: Volkswagen ID.R sets new electric record on the Nürburgring

A comparatively narrow track—13 miles long, with 75 corners, and regularly climbing or descending through the Eifel forests—the Nordschleife, which was opened in 1927, is one of a kind and continues to serve as a test environment for the automobile industry. Former Formula 1 world champion, Jackie Stewart, once only half-jokingly called the circuit the “Green Hell.”

The ID. R is the marketing amperage behind an entire range of electric vehicles that Volkswagen plans to launch from 2020 onwards. The ID. R’s motorsport ventures – arguably – show the huge potential power that e-drive can deliver on prosaic, possibly gridlocked roads in the future.

Three Records

Within twelve months, Volkswagen Motorsport has already set three track records with the ID.R. On 24 June 2018, Romain Dumas achieved the absolute track record of 7:57.148 minutes at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (USA). Three weeks later, he achieved a new best time for electric cars of 43.86 seconds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England.

For Romain Dumas, who is a four-time winner of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, the record lap with the ID.R is another highlight on his favorite track. “To be a record-holder on the Nordschleife makes me unbelievably proud,” says Dumas.

Evolved ID.R Adapted for Nordschleife

To prepare for the Nürburgring Nordschleife challenge, in just five months Volkswagen Motorsport gave the ID.R a complete remodeling compared to the record outings on Pikes Peak and in Goodwood. “For this evolved version of the ID.R, the aerodynamic configuration was more strongly adapted to the highest possible speed, rather than maximum downforce,” explains François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director. “With extensive test laps in the simulator and on the racetrack, we adapted the ID.R to the unique conditions of the Nordschleife, focusing mainly on chassis tuning, energy management and optimal choice of tires for the record attempt.”

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