ENGADGET: Production R8 e-tron Sets Lap Rrecord at Nürburgring

Production R8 e-tron sets lap record at Nürburgring, Audi gains more EV bragging rights.

Suffice it to say, Audi's been garnering loads of press these past weeks for its e-tron vehicles. Hot on the heels of its recent, R18 e-tron-led victory at the 24-hour Le Mans, the automaker has set a world-record for production EVs at Germany's Nürburgring. Using an all-electric R8 production model, driver Markus Winkelhock zipped around the 12.92-mile course with a lap time of 8:09.099. For comparison's sake, the fastest lap by a gasoline-powered production car of about seven minutes and 57 seconds is currently held by the Gumpert Apollo Sport -- which just-so-happens to use an 700 hp (515 kW) Audi V8 motor. According to Audi, the R8 used is essentially identical to what will be released to the public later this year, featuring two electric motors that pump out 280kW of power and 820Nm of torque. That said, Autoblog notes that its limiter was set to 155 mph (250 kph) -- when you can buy one it'll be set to top out at 125 mph (200 kph). Hit up the press release after the break for all the details.

Read more and see a photo of this cool Audi R8 via the source link.

Source:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/01/Audi-r8-e-tron-ev-lap-record-nurburgring/

More photos available here via Autoblog:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/