Volkswagen has confirmed it will tackle a second record in as many years with its electric ID. R prototype, with its sights now set on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The manufacturer will attempt to break the record for electric cars at the infamous German track with the same car with which it set a new outright record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June.

Romain Dumas will again be behind the wheel for the Nürburgring attack and already has four wins in the Nürburgring 24 to his name.

An attempt on the Nürburgring electric lap record has been rumored for some time, while Romain Dumas told e-racing365 late last year that the ID. R program was far from over.

The current Nordschleife record for electric vehicles stands at 6:45.90, set by Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9 in 2017.

“The thought of driving the ID. R on the Nordschleife is already enough to give me goosebumps,” Dumas said.

“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.”

Volkswagen is using the ID. R prototype to showcase its EV technology ahead of the launch of its first all-electric road cars in 2020.

“The ID. R’s motorsport assignments are a declaration of Volkswagen’s commitment to electromobility and underline the huge potential power that the E-drive can deliver on regular roads in the future,” a statement from the manufacturer read.

“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,” added Volkswagen Motorsport director Sven Smeets.

“A lap record on the Nordschleife is a great accolade for any car, whether a race car or a production car.”

Car to Be Upgraded in Preparation for Nordschleife

Several changes will be made to fine-tune the ID. R ahead of its runs on the Nordschleife, as the car was initially designed with the unique characteristics of Pikes Peak in mind.

The record attempt will take place in the summer, on a currently unconfirmed date.

“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,” said technical director François-Xavier Demaison.

“As part of our meticulous preparations for the record attempt, we will put the ID. R through an intense test and development program at various racetracks in the spring.”

The current overall lap record was set by Timo Bernhard in Porsche’s 919 Hybrid Evo last year and stands at 5:19.55.