Audi R8 e-tron Nurburgring record run on video

Audi has revealed video of the complete Nurburgring lap by the Audi R8 e-tron in 8:09, a new lap record for an EV.

The Nurburgring is not the first place you’d associate with an electric car. After all, it’s fuelled on adrenalin, testosterone and the sound of V8s, V10s and V12s – not batteries and whooshing noises.

But that petrolhead atmosphere is perhaps the very reason why Audi took the R8 e-tron to the Nurburgring in June to see exactly what its electric R8 could do round the ‘Ring. And actually, it did very well.

Driven by Markus Wankelhock the R8 e-tron managed to get round the Nurburgring in just 8:09 which, although not quite the fastest lap by an EV, is the fastest by a production car. Even if the R8 e-tron isn’t actually a production car. At least not yet.

The R8 e-tron is scheduled to go on (limited) sale at the end of 2012, although Audi hasn’t ventured a retail price yet.

What you will get, if you throw down what will inevitably not be loose change, is an electric R8 that has performance similar to the R8 V8 from its two electric motors and will do a bit over 130 miles on a single charge. Assuming you don’t use the prodigious torque (605lb/ft – not the originally quoted 3315lb/ft of torque), in which case you journey will end much sooner.

So, assuming the Audi R8 e-tron actually arrives in Audi Showrooms this year, the R8 e-tron can claim the honour of the quickest production EV at the Nurburgring.

By Cars UK