Volkswagen has begun testing its ID R electric race car at the Nurburgring, ahead of an attempt to set a new lap record for electric vehicles.
The 671bhp ID R, which broke the outright record at the Pikes Peak hill climb last year, has been heavily modified to cope with the 12.9-mile Nordschleife's long straights and fast corners. A new F1-inspired aerodynamics package includes a new rear wing, redesigned front splitter and drag reduction system (DRS) which, when deployed, reduces downforce by as much as 20%.
Changes to the energy management system help the car reach its top speed faster, while using less energy from its twin lithium-ion battery packs.
Driver Romain Dumas, who has won the Nurburgring 24-hour race four times, will be aiming to dethrone the Nio EP9 electric hypercar. It set the record for fastest EV around the 'Ring in 2017 with a time of 6:45.90.
"The extent to which the ID. R has been continuously developed compared to 2018 is impressive," Dumas explained. "I can’t wait to finally drive the ID. R on the Nordschleife.”
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