It was around this time last year when the manic and eco-friendly 680hp electric beast Volkswagen ID.R set not only the fastest ever time at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb but also smashed the record for the fastest vehicle ever in the ‘Unlimited’ category.
While that would be enough to prove to every single being on the planet that electric supercars and race machines are the future, Volkswagen intends to cement that status even further. Their target? The infamous Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
Almost 21km worth of 73 corners with several elevation changes known as “The Green Hell”, it is by far one of the most iconic racetracks in existence and it is where a lot of car companies and fast individuals have chosen as the ultimate proving grounds.
As of now, the current record for electric vehicles stands at 6:45.90 minutes and was set by British driver Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9 in 2017 and this is the one that the Volkswagen ID.R has its eyes on. The man for the job? None other than Romain Dumais, the same Frenchman that drove the ID.R to victory at Pikes Peak last year.
According to Dumas, “The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is my favourite racetrack. Although I have driven thousands of kilometres there, it always gives me goosebumps every time I leave the pit lane for the first time. Driving through sections of the track that are so steeped in history, like ‘Flugplatz’, ‘Fuchsröhre’ and the ‘Karussell’, is a very special feeling in the ID.R, which is virtually silent.”
His attempt with the Volkswagen electric beast won’t be easy. With so many difficult sections, the Volkswagen ID.R will be pushed to its limits in terms of aerodynamics and vehicle structure with sections like Nordschleife where it is the slowest but most uneven part of the circuit.
There’s also the part where Dumas want to hit an average speed of 185km/h for the goal of setting the new world record. And also, not braking at places (and placing the utmost confidence to the car’s downforce and aerodynamics) where most people would.
The gap between insanity and determination is almost invisible at this point and we’re loving every moment of it.
