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The Volkswagen ID.R, the flagship racer for its electric vehicle programme, has set a new record lap time at the famous Nurburgring-Nordschleife circuit in Germany. With a lap time of 6:05.336 minutes, it is not only the fastest electric vehicle around the circuit but the second fastest ever, following the blisteringly quick overall record set by the Porsche 919 Evo.
It was initially built to take on the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the United States, where it also set a record time of 7:57.148 minutes. Three weeks after that the car and its driver, Romain Dumas, set an electric vehicle record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb, completing the run in just 43.86 seconds.
Following that, the 680hp Volkswagen ID.R underwent a series of changes to prepare it for the record attempt at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife. Less downforce was required to give the car higher top speed. A new aerodynamics package including a different floor and front section to help cooling was added.
Following his record-setting run, Romain Dumas, said: "To be a record-holder on the Nordschleife makes me unbelievably proud. For me, this is the best and most difficult race track in the world. I want to thank the team at Volkswagen Motorsport, who have once again done a fantastic job. The ID.R was perfectly prepared for the Nordschleife and it was so much fun to experience the blistering acceleration and rapid cornering speeds."
Anything else?
The previous electric vehicle lap record at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife had been set by the NIO EP9, an electric supercar. Volkswagen beat this time by an impressive 40.564 seconds, with an average speed of 206.96km/h over the 20.8-kilometre lap.
A delighted 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, 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'. I congratulate the team from Volkswagen Motorsport and driver Romain Dumas on the third record for the ID.R."