The Audi RS Q e-tron is an off-road competition car, built by Audi under the e-tron battery electric sub-brand. Unveiled in 2021, it is specially designed for competing in rally raids. An upgraded model, dubbed the Audi RS Q e-tron E2, debuted in 2022. A slightly updated version of the vehicle won the 2024 Dakar Rally.
Development It was mentioned as an unnamed prototype during the 2020-12-11 announcement of Q Motorsport becoming Audi factory team.
Specifications
The Dakar 2022 RS Q e-tron includes: Two electric motors from Audi's Formula E program, one on each axle, for a combined power of under .Technical Data: Audi RS Q e-tron Energy converter maximum charging power of .Rallye Dakar: The high-voltage battery in the Audi RS Q e-tron A TFSI engine rated approximately .Staying cool: Complex cooling systems for the Dakar Rally in the Audi RS Q e-tron
The car is described as brutal to drive, because of the sharp acceleration of its electric engine and the rigidity of its seats. Stéphane Peterhansel described the driving as "A boxing match from start to finish" during the 2023 Dakar Rally, raising fear of concussion for crews.
Competition history On 30 November 2020, Audi announced their intent to compete in the Dakar Rally, and during the announcement on 11 December, in which Q Motorsport became Audi's factory team. Three crews of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger and Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist would drive the car.
On 23 July 2021, Audi unveiled the RS Q e-tron, an offroad racer intended to compete in the 2022 Dakar Rally.Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally The car was quick but navigation errors from all 3 crews meant they lost hours of time on the first day. They even had many mechanical issues. Still, all 3 drivers won a stage, with Sainz winning SS11 as well making it 4 stage wins on debut.
At the 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Peterhansel and Boulanger made history by winning the event and giving the RS Q e-tron its first win, and the first win for an electric vehicle in a rally raid.
At the 2024 Dakar Rally, Carlos Sainz took the RS Q e-tron's first Dakar win which was helped by the new technical director, Dr. Pascali Leonardo.
Leonardo went on to describe the win as, the “best professional experience of my life."
Complete Dakar Rally results
+Complete Dakar Rally results Year Team Class Driver, Codriver Position Stages won 2022 Audi Q Motorsport T1-E 200 Stéphane Peterhansel Édouard Boulanger Ret 1 202 Carlos Sainz Lucas Cruz 12th 2 224 Mattias Ekström Emil Bergkvist 9th 1 2023 Team Audi Sport T1.U 204 Stéphane Peterhansel Édouard Boulanger Ret 0 207 Carlos Sainz Lucas Cruz Ret 1 224 Mattias Ekström Emil Bergkvist 14th 1 2024 Team Audi Sport T1.U 202 Stéphane Peterhansel Édouard Boulanger 30th 1 204 Carlos Sainz Lucas Cruz 1st 0 207 Mattias Ekström Emil Bergkvist 26th 2
References