Toyota smashes Nürburgring electric lap record

Toyota’s radically styled TMG EV P001 has smashed the lap record for an electric vehicle at the Nürburgring. This is just the third genuine attempt at an EV record around the demanding Nordschleife, following MINI and Peugeot, but Toyota’s lap time of 7 minutes 47.794 seconds is going to take some beating!

Jochen Krumbach was the man at the wheel of the TMG EV P001, which is based on a Radical chassis and modified by TMG for e-WOLF.

The open-top EV set its record on road-legal tyres (read semi-slicks). It has 800Nm of torque and a 260km/h top speed; enough to easily beat Toyota’s sub-8 minute target time.

According to TMG director business operations Rob Leupen, “There’s no doubt that electric motorsport can be every bit as thrilling as traditional racing.”

Why not judge for yourself by watching the full lap after the break.

Toyota sets new electric lap record at Nürburgring

31 August 2011 – Toyota has slashed more than a minute off the lap record for an electric vehicle at the legendary 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

The TMG EV P001, driven by Jochen Krumbach, set a new lap record of 7min, 47.794 sec – well inside the previous best of 9min, 1.338sec.

Using two electric motors, the Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) electric powertrain has 800Nm of torque and a top speed of 260kmh.

The target was to become the first electric vehicle to break the eight-minute barrier on the challenging Nordschleife track, which has significant elevation changes and lengthy flat-out sections.

TMG, which is developing the electric powertrain in-house, will begin commercial sales of its technology in 2012.

It is conducting on-going investigations into alternative chassis solutions as it continues to advance its electric-vehicle capability for motorsport applications.

TMG technical director Pascal Vasselon said that, as well as setting the lap record, TMG wanted to learn more about the operation of its electric powertrain in extreme circumstances.

Mr Vasselon said the TMG EV P001 performed better on the record lap than in testing due to improvements that were able to be made.

“We have enhanced our electric powertrain development thanks to the information our engineers have gained and our future EV products will benefit from this project,” Mr Vasselon said.

TMG director business operations Rob Leupen said the achievement demonstrated the huge potential for electric powertrains to deliver fast, exciting action on the race track.

“There’s no doubt that electric motorsport can be every bit as thrilling as traditional racing,” Mr Leupen said.

The new lap record was completed on road-legal tyres, using the complete Nordschleife track. It was verified by independent lap timing.

TMG partner Aguti created and implemented the livery concept while rational motion integrated the electric powertrain, traction battery and control strategies. EVO Electric motor technology delivered the power. The TMG EV P001 is based on a Radical chassis as modified by TMG for e-WOLF.