The ID. R is to complete its first test on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife today. For the first time, a racing car will also be presented at the same time in a near-reality computer simulation that can be downloaded free of charge. The 500 kW (680 PS) electric drive of the ID. R has been adapted to the world-unique track characteristics of the Nordschleife. Two lithium-ion battery blocks serve as energy storage on board the ID. R, which were constructed with expertise from Volkswagen’s production development and whose structure is comparable to the technology that is to be used in the future production vehicles from the ID. family.
“The ID. R’s mission to be the spearhead of the fully electric ID. product family from Volkswagen continues in full force” said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. “Once again, this time in 2019, the ID. R will demonstrate the great potential of electric drive, combining emissions-free technology with true emotion. The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is the next step on the journey of the ID. R, a car that provides a symbol of the future significance of electric drive in all of motorsport at Volkswagen. To see the ID. R take to this legendary race track for the first time will be a moment guaranteed to give you goose bumps.”
François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director of Volkswagen Motorsport, added that last year, the many-cornered hill climb track and thin air at Pikes Peak demanded maximum downforce and that on the Nordschleife lap, the ID. R will reach an average speed of more than 180 km/h – with a top speed on the straight of up to 270 km/h. Volkswagen has developed a completely new aerodynamic package with DRS (Drag Reduction System), known from Formula 1, as well as optimised the energy management, which controls the power output of the two electric motors and energy recovery under braking
On the occasion of the world premiere of the continuously developed ID. R, Volkswagen has launched an online racing simulation for the free-to-play racing simulator RaceRoom, in which the gamer himself/herself can take to the 20.832-kilometre Nordschleife in the ID. R and can compete with driver Romain Dumas – with the option to use virtual reality glasses as well. The computer vehicle model was created based on original ID. R data, while the engineers from Volkswagen Motorsport have given the game developers deep insights into the driving dynamics of the electric racing car in order to make the driving experience as realistic as possible on a home computer.
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