VW ID R Electric Racer Could Challenge Nürburgring Overall Lap Record

Volkswagen is reportedly planning to break the current Nürburgring Nordschleife electric car record with its four-wheel-drive ID R prototype.

If the automaker’s data simulations are right, the ID R could even be in the cards for the outright lap record on the “Green Hell.” According to a report from Autocar, Volkswagen Motorsport has booked the German track for a series of exclusive tests in early May 2019.

Details are scarce at the moment, but the official aim will be to set a new record for electric vehicles. The current benchmark was set by the 1,341hp NIO EP9 in May 2017 with a lap of 6 minutes and 45.90 seconds.

However, early simulation tests indicate the 671hp VW ID R could break the current outright lap record set by the 1,160hp Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo earlier this year. Porsche’s gasoline-electric race car lapped the Nordschleife in just 5 minutes and 19.55 seconds.

“We’re still at an early stage of preparation, but we’ve already seen lap times below 5min 30sec in the simulator. There’s more to come, we’re sure,” an insider familiar with VW’s Nürburgring plans told Autocar.

Volkswagen Motorsport is currently modifying the ID R for the Nürburgring, with changes including a new aerodynamic package that would allow a higher top speed than the ID R Pikes Peak prototype’s 150 mph (241 km/h). The automaker is also said to make updates to the electric system.

The car will be driven by four-time Nürburgring 24 Hours winner Romain Dumas, who also took the ID R Pikes Peak to victory this year in Colorado, covering the 12.42-mile (19.99-km) hill climb in 7 minutes and 57.15 seconds.