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Volkswagen ID R to chase Nurburgring EV record

Not satisfied with a new record at Pikes Peak, Volkswagen has set its sights on the greenest, meanest racetrack in its home country: the Nurburgring.


Volkswagen has turned its energy from Pikes Peak to the Nurburgring, announcing plans to topple the electric lap record currently owned by the NIO EP9.

Where it chased the outright record up Pikes Peak, the record within Volkswagen's sights is purely related to electric vehicles. Apparently there's no way the ID R could come close to toppling the 5:19.55 outright record set by the Porsche 919 Evo.

“After the record on Pikes Peak, the fastest time for electric cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is the next big challenge for the ID R,” said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport director.

“A lap record on the Nordschleife is a great accolade for any car, whether a race car or a production car.”

Given it's a very different environment to Pikes Peak, the Nurburgring lap attempt will necessitate some changes to the ID R. For one, the car will be running less downforce than the vehicle used in Colorado, lest the big wings hold it back on the Nordschleife's long back straight.

As with the record-breaking run in Colorado, Volkswagen has turned to Romain Dumas behind the wheel. He's experienced around the Nordschleife, having won the 24 hour event four times.

“The thought of driving the ID R on the Nordschleife is already enough to give me goosebumps. I know the track very well, but the ID. R will be a completely different challenge, with its extreme acceleration and huge cornering speeds,” said Dumas.

“I can hardly wait for the first tests. Breaking the existing electric record will certainly not be a stroll in the park.”

Standing between Volkswagen and its record is the NIO EP9, which lapped the Green Hell in 6:45.9 in 2017.

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