Volkswagen has its eyes set firmly on the Nurburgring electric vehicle lap record with an updated version of its ID. R.
Originally built to take on the famous Pikes Peak hillclimb — where it smashed the record by over 15 seconds with a time of 7:54.1 on the 12.42-mile stretch of road — it now has its sights set firmly on ‘The Green Hell’. Currently, the EV record holder around the German racetrack is the NIO EP9, which holds a 6:45.9 lap time.
To give it a chance at beating that time around the 12.9-mile circuit, the ID. R receives new aerodynamics designed to increase its top speed, with a DRS (Drag Reduction System) also featuring. Inspired by a similar set-up used in Formula 1, DRS technology allows the rear wing to effectively stall on demand — reducing drag without compromising on downforce when the system is not in use.
Furthermore, its 671bhp electric powertrain has been tweaked to optimise power delivery on the free-flowing track.
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Romain Dumas, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race with Porsche in 2016, will get behind the wheel of the EV later today around the Nurburgring to take on the time. Can it be topped? Keep an eye out for more news...
