Audi R8 e-tron claims fastest electric car on Nurburgring record

The Audi R8 e-tron, piloted by Markus Winkelhock, clocked a time of 8 minutes 9 seconds around the 20.8 km Nurburgring circuit setting a record as the “fastest production electric car” around the ‘Ring. The only issues are that it is neither a production car, nor has anyone tried to set a record before with an electric car so that it can be beaten.

The production vehicle will be limited to a 200 kph top speed, but for the ‘Ring run, the limiter was raised to 250 kph. The electric variety of the R8 will complete the 0-100 kph dash in 4.6 seconds and will keep running for 215 km before it runs out of charge.

The car’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 49 KWh of energy which is supplied to the electric motors which can generate upto 375 hp and 820 Nm of torque. Despite the weight of the battery, the car weighs 1,780 kg only.

The Audi R8 e-tron has not gone on sale yet, but speculation has it that it will be in the markets by the end of 2012. Ironically, this is the same carmaker whose boss once went on record for saying that electric cars are for idiots.