VW is going after the Nürburgring record with a new version of its ID. R fully-electric sports car

VW’s I.D. R fully-electric sports car, which has broken several records at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, is coming back with some updates to go after the Nürburgring electric record.

Last year, VW built the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak race car for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and they ended up breaking the race’s record with the car.

It also broke some records at the Goodwood hill climb.

Now, it’s coming back to take a shot at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit, which is regarded as the toughest racetrack in the world.

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeet commented about the new goal:

“After the record on Pikes Peak, the fastest time for electric cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is the next big challenge for the ID. R. A lap record on the Nordschleife is a great accolade for any car, whether a race car or a production car.”

The custom-built all-electric race car that weight “under 2,500 lbs”, is equipped with two electric motors capable of “680 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 0-60 time of 2.25 seconds,” and a 43 kWh battery pack.

VW says that it is modifying the vehicle to have better performance on the Nürburgring racetrack, which is a lot different than the previous hill climbs that the I.D. R car competed in.

François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport, commented:

“Above all, we will modify the aerodynamics of the ID. R, in order to cope with the conditions on the Nordschleife, which differ greatly from those on Pikes Peak,”

The electric record they are trying to beat is currently held by Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9 with a 6:45.90 lap.

Romain Dumas is coming back behind the wheel of the I.D. R to beat the record.

He commented:

“The thought of driving the ID. R on the Nordschleife is already enough to give me goosebumps. I know the track very well, but the ID. R will be a completely different challenge, with its extreme acceleration and huge cornering speeds. I can hardly wait for the first tests. Breaking the existing electric record will certainly not be a stroll in the park.”

They plan to attempt to beat the record this summer.