https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY4uIZZB_8o&feature=youtu.be
One day after the world premiere of the new ID. R at the Nürburgring, Romain Dumas drove the fully electric race car’s first test laps on the Nordschleife.
On the 20.8km-long (13 mile) circuit, the Frenchman completed an extensive testing program, 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 500kW (68ps) race car.
“The Nürburgring-Nordschleife has presented challenges, as expected,” said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport director. “Based on extensive computer simulations, 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 program as scheduled, also comparing various racing tires from our partner Bridgestone.”
“It was a great moment to drive the ID. R on my favorite 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. We have therefore 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 most challenging race track in the world again. A record attempt is planned for summer 2019.
