Volkswagen ID.R obliterates Nurburgring EV lap record

With an average speed of 206.96 km/h, the Volkswagen ID.R electric prototype lapped the Nordschleife circuit in a record time of  6:05.336 - which is over 40 seconds faster than the previously set record by NIO EP9. 

Remember the Volkswagen ID.R? The purpose-built electric racecar that smashed the Pikes Peak lap record in 2017? Well, if you can’t recall, no worries, for it has hit the headlines yet again for obliterating another lap record! This time, though, it was at a racetrack that's closer to the company’s headquarters in Germany – the Nordschleife circuit at Nurburgring, to be precise.

The Volkswagen ID R recorded a lap-time of 6:05.336 around the ‘ring, making it the fastest electric vehicle to lap the circuit. The record was set by two-time Le Mans 24 hours winner Romain Dumas. The previous record was held by Chinese EV start-up NIO’s EP9 hypercar. However, what’s truly astonishing here is that the ID R was over 40 seconds faster than the EP9. That said, compared to the track-only ID R prototype, the EP9 is a road-legal vehicle with production limited to 16 units worldwide.

The current lap time of the ID R also makes it the second fastest vehicle ever at the Nurburgring, behind the Porsche 919 Evo – which is basically an unrestricted 919 LMP1 car – that posted a staggering lap-record of 5:19.546 in 2017.

For the Nurburgring, the ID R used the same 671bhp/650Nm all-wheel-drive electric drivetrain as of the Pikes Peak prototype. However, Volkswagen says that the system was adapted for the unique conditions of the Nordschleife track. The aerodynamics were also revised for a better top speed rather than maximum downforce.

Commenting on the development, Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group, said, “The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is not only the world’s most demanding race track, but 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’.