One day after the world premiere for the new ID. R at the Nürburgring, Romain Dumas drove the first test laps on the circuit’s Nordschleife in the fully electric race car. On the 20.832-kilometre-long (12.94 miles) circuit, the Frenchman completed an extensive testing programme, driving two alternative ID. R chassis to make optimal use of the available time. In doing so, Volkswagen Motorsport began the final preparation phase for the attempt to set a new lap record for electric vehicles on the tradition-steeped track in the Eifel with the 500 kW (671 bhp) race car.

“The Nürburgring-Nordschleife has presented difficult challenges as expected,” says Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. “Based on the extensive computer simulations in advance, in this test we have worked on ensuring the ID. R is optimally adapted to this unique race track, particularly with regard to the chassis. The energy management is already functioning very well. As a result, we were able to work through the planned focal points of the test programme as scheduled, while also comparing various racing tyres from our partner Bridgestone.”

“It was a great moment to drive the ID. R on my favourite track for the first time,” said driver Romain Dumas. “The cornering speeds in the ID. R are much higher than I am used to in GT race cars. But I feel good in the cockpit and that is really important here. The Nürburgring-Nordschleife has larger and more numerous bumps than the race tracks on which we have tested so far. So, we have concentrated on adapting the shock absorbers and the ride height to suit the unique characteristics of this track.”

With the data from the first test on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the engineers from Volkswagen Motorsport will now work on continuing to fine-tune the ID. R before the electric race car takes to the circuit again. The record attempt by the ambassador for the future fully electric production vehicles from the Volkswagen ID. product family is planned for summer 2019.