Audi R8 e-tron sets EV world record lap at Nurburgring

The Audi R8 e-tron sets a world record lap time for an electric vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track. This record was noteworthy on two counts – first, the Nürburgring is considered to be the toughest test track in the world. Secondly, this R8 e-tron is a 100 per cent production model.

The Record in Perspective

Racing driver Markus Winkelhock powered the all-electric-drive sports car around the 20.8 km (12.92 mile) track in 8:09.099 minutes.

To put this record in perspective, the current lap record for a combustion engine car at the Nürburgring is 7:11.57 minutes, set by the Gumpert Apollo Sport (700 hp Audi V8 petrol engine). The lap record for electric cars was set by the Toyota Motorsports Group EV P001 at 7:47:794 minutes. But the EV P001 is a race car unlike the R8 e-tron.

And how did the R8 e-tron compare with its parent car, the combustion engine R8? The R8 was only marginally ahead of its electric version on this track with a lap record of 8:04 minutes.

A second R8 e-tron took to the track. Despite the speed limit of 200 km/h (124.27 mph), it did two laps in one go, clocking 8:30.873 and 8:26.096 minutes, both well under the important nine-minute threshold.

Product/Technology

The car has two electric motors that generate an output of 230 kW and 820 Nm of torque. This gives the car a 0-100 kph time of just 4.6 seconds. The top speed is normally limited to 200 km/h (124.27 mph); however a 250 km/h (155.34 mph) top speed was approved for the record-setting lap.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 49 KWh capacity can cover up to 215 kms. It is charged by energy recovery during coasting and braking. The ultra-light body of the R8 e-tron is made primarily of aluminium, along with CFRP components; hence reducing the car's weight to just 1,780 kilograms (3,924.23 lb.), despite the heavy battery.

The R8 e-tron will hit the market at the end of 2012.