VW reckons its ID R could do a sub-6 minute lap at the 'Ring

Remember the first pictures of the Nürburgring-spec Volkswagen ID R prototype that we brought you last week? Well it turns out that it’s really, really quick.

You know the story by now. Having smashed the Pikes Peak record by over 16 seconds last year, VW has adapted the car to take on the ‘Ring and the current EV record of 6m 45.9s (set by the 1,341bhp NIO EP9).

After a rather short three-month development period, driver Romain Dumas was able to get behind the wheel for some initial testing laps at the Green Hell for the first time on Thursday. And if simulator runs are anything to go by then the ID R could take almost a minute off the NIO’s time.

Dumas has already set a virtual time of 6m 06.17s, but VW has made its sim available to the world via Raceroom and times have been tumbling. At the point of writing, the quickest lap stands at a rather incredible 5m 56.6s. Romain has some work to do…

The main update to the ID R for the Nürburgring is a new aero package with less downforce and a Formula 1-style DRS system. This reduces drag on the straights by as much as 20 per cent and means an increased top speed of over 155mph, despite the twin-electric motor drivetrain remaining the same.

“We could still run a much quicker top speed with the power that we have (670bhp and 479lb ft of torque) but we need to be careful with the energy levels,” says technical advisor and former Sauber F1 boss Willy Rampf. Crikey.

The ID R should comfortably take the EV crown on the Nordschleife then, but just how quickly do you think Dumas could go when things get real? And when will the incredible Porsche 919 have to worry about its 5m 19.6s overall record?

Watch this space.