Toyota zaps N?rburgring lap record for electric vehicles [video]

Beats the previous record set by the Peugeot EX1 concept

Toyota has set a new electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Driving a modified Radical, dubbed the EV P001, Jochen Krumbach completed the 20.8 km (12.9 mile) long course in 7 minutes and 47.794 seconds which buried the previous record of 9 minutes and 1.338 seconds that was set by the Peugeot EX1 concept.

According to Rob Leupen, Toyota Motorsport's Director of Business Operations, "This is a very impressive achievement which really shows 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 and it was an amazing sensation to watch the TMG electric vehicle fly past on the Nordschleife, with only the sound of wind rushing past and tires squealing."

As we have previously reported, the P001 features a 41.5 kWh lithium-ceramic battery which powers two electric motors that develop 381 PS (280 kW / 375 hp) and 800 Nm (590 Nm) of torque. This setup enables the 970 kg (2,138 lb) car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph).

Source: Toyota Motorsport

show/hide press release

RECORD BREAKING AMBITION

TO DEMONSTRATE ITS ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY TMG SET ITSELF A CHALLENGE - SET A NEW LAP RECORD FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT THE DEMANDING NÜRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE.

TMG's high-performance electric powertrain powered the TMG EV P001 car on its way to a significant improvement on the previous EV lap record of 9min 1.338secs. With driver Jochen Krumbach at the wheel, the TMG EV P001 stopped the clock at 7mins 47.794secs, improving the record by more than a minute.

The TMG electric powertrain uses two electric motors to deliver peak power of 280kW and a top speed of 260km/h with zero emissions. That makes it ideal to power any future single-make electric motorsport series and TMG will begin commercial sales of its electric powertrain technology in 2012.

Total weight of the two-seater sports car is just 970kg, including the lithium-ceramic battery which allows for nimble handling around the demanding Nordschleife, essential for setting a competitive lap record.

MG's target prior to the 29 August record run was to become the first electric vehicle break the eight-minute barrier and this was achieved comfortably on a day when the notoriously changeable Nürburgring weather stayed fine, although track temperatures were relatively low.

Such performance shows TMG's electric powertrain is ideal to power any future single-make electric motorsport series and TMG will begin commercial sales of this technology in 2012. TMG continues to advance its electric vehicle capability for motorsport applications with in-house development of the electric powertrain and ongoing investigations into alternative chassis solutions.

TMG is also proud to have the support of partners in this lap record attempt, all of whom enjoy visible branding on the electric vehicle. Aguti created and implemented the livery concept while rational motion integrated the electric powertrain, traction battery and control strategies and EVO Electric motor technology delivers the power.

Electric Vehicle Specifications

Top Speed - 260km/h
0-50km/h - 1.8 seconds
0-100km/h - 3.9 seconds
Max. Torque - 800Nm
Max. Power - 280kW
Max. rpm - 5000
Battery Type - Lithium ceramic
Battery Voltage - 520V
Battery Capacity - 41.5kWh
Battery Weight - 350kg
Length - 4190mm
Width - 1785mm
Height - 1070mm
Wheelbase - 2368mm
Weight - 970kg

Toyota EV racing prototype unveiled
(9 comments)
Toyota aims for N?rburgring EV record
(7 comments)

Add a Comment

Comments (13)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

sideskraper

With the SR8 as its basis, this can't really be too shocking.

August 30, 2011 5:21 pm

report abuse | reply

jai_mav

What an awful 'exhaust' note. For that reason alone, may electric cars never take over. Now, if youll excuse me, I'm going to go watch me some LF-A, clean this awful sound out of my ears.

August 30, 2011 6:24 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

useurbrain4once

Hey genius, exactly what kind of exhaust note do you expect from a battery and electric motors? F1 inspired symphony?

August 30, 2011 11:06 pm

report abuse | reply

motorfan28

If only Toyota stuck it out another year in F1...who knows how much more exciting their cars could have ended up. Bring back the GT4 and Supra's

August 30, 2011 9:48 pm

report abuse | reply

pzigly

I dont think this was that diffacult to achieve, anyone can take a car and turn it to electric. I know a guy that can do it for me. I could buy any old junker and he just takes out the motor and adapts an electric to it. i suspect anyone car company can take an F1 car, convert it, and just kill this record. Peugeot made that concept from scratch, its not converted.

August 31, 2011 12:54 am

report abuse | reply

2 replies

MRAD

The person who told you that is a flat out liar, not only do you need to swap out the "engine", you need to change all the eletronics, place a battery pack, replace all cooling units, fluids and a/c unit with something that is conventional with the eletric motor. You also have to adapt the braking system and so much more than that. It is possible, but very expensive and difficult for the most part unless you do it yourself where it just ends up being slightly less expensive and just as difficult. It is possible and done all of the time, but it isn't that simple.

August 31, 2011 5:20 am

report abuse | reply

pzigly

he converted an old 240zx (i have pics), thats why i said old car. and yes it is very expensive, but like i said he can convert any car. so if he can convert any car, an auto manufactorer can do this with ease (espically one that has over 10yrs of hybrid exp).

August 31, 2011 8:31 am

report abuse | reply

vilivo

Umm, yeah,perhaps in future... rite now, imagine an electric race, and then a pit stop to "fill up"... That or all races will have to be 10-15 laps MAX

August 31, 2011 1:44 am

report abuse | reply

3 replies

MRAD

Have you ever watched a real race, what happens after 15-20 laps with a conventionally powered vehicle and especially an F1 car before the new pitting limit? Even gasoline powered cars need to pit after a set number of laps in order to fill up.

August 31, 2011 5:17 am

report abuse | reply

vilivo

Yeah, but they don take several hours to a day to fill-up. Imagine an electrical pit stop?

August 31, 2011 7:47 am

report abuse | reply

pzigly

I think if there was an electric race, a pit stop would be tire change and popping out the electric battery like an remote control car and putting in a recharged one. It might be big, it might be heavy, but i think they will figure it out.

August 31, 2011 12:39 pm

report abuse | reply

tazcubed

What insight I see from a couple of posters...based on what's been said by said "geniuses", then why hasn't it been adopted already worldwide?! Gee, I guess the term "concept" is beyond your reach. Good effort by Toyota, and hopefully progress will continue.

August 31, 2011 5:18 am

report abuse | reply