What's this about?
Volkswagen has set a new lap record for an electric vehicle at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. A modified version of its ID.R racer, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, lapped the circuit in a blistering time of 6:05.335 minutes.
Just how fast is that?
That lap time makes the Volkswagen ID.R the second-fastest car to ever circumvent the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. Over the lap, it averaged 128.598mph. Only the hybrid Porsche 919 Evo has gone faster.
What other records does it have?
The Volkswagen ID.R was initially built to take on the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the United States, which it did - it won its class and set a new electric hillclimb record of 7:57.148 minutes. Then, just a few weeks later, Romain Dumas set another record time for an electric vehicle at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb, completing it in a mere 43.86 seconds.
Is he a quick driver then?
When it comes to pedalling a car quickly, Romain Dumas is a talented driver. Among his many successes, he is a four-time winner of the 24-Hour race at the Nürburgring, so it's safe to say he knows the right lines to take.
After finishing his record-setting run, 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?
Volkswagen Group boss, Herbert Diess, was equally happy as the ID.R will generate more favourable coverage for the company's electric vehicle programme, all of which carry the ID name. He 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."
Dave Humphreys - 4 Jun 2019