Audi RS Q e-tron

This article is about the off-road competition car. For the concept car featured in Spies in Disguise, see Audi RSQ e-tron.
Audi RS Q e-tron*
The Audi RS Q e-tron at Rétromobile 2024
CategoryRally raid
Designer(s)Axel Löffler[1]
Technical specifications
Length4,500 mm (177.2 in)
Width2,300 mm (90.6 in)
Height1,950 mm (76.8 in)
EngineAudi RC8 TFSI I4 (turbo petrol; generator only) 2,000 cubic centimetres (120 cu in) front mid mounted AWD
Torque600 pound force-feet (810 N⋅m) (combined)
Electric motor3x Audi MGU05 permanent magnet (electric; 2-motors per axle and 1-motor for engine generator)
TransmissionOne single-speed racing gearbox per axle with limited-slip differential (software-based), virtual center differential with freely selectable torque distribution on front and rear axle
Battery52 kWh lithium-ion cells High Voltage Battery System (HVBS)
Power562 horsepower (419 kW) (combined)
Weight2,100 kg (4,629.7 lb)
TyresBF Goodrich front/rear 37x12,5 R17
Competition history
Notable entrantsGermany Audi
Notable drivers
First win2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
Last win2024 Dakar Rally
Last event2024 Dakar Rally
EntriesRacesWinsPodiums
4422

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,[2] it is specially designed for competing in rally raids. An upgraded model, dubbed the Audi RS Q e-tron E2, debuted in 2022.[3] A slightly updated version of the vehicle[4] 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.[5]

Specifications

The RS Q e-tron's chassis in 2023

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 288 kilowatts (386 hp).[6]
  • Energy converter maximum charging power of 220 kilowatts (300 hp).[7]
  • A TFSI engine rated approximately 200 kilowatts (270 hp).[8]

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.[9]

Competition history

On 30 November 2020, Audi announced their intent to compete in the Dakar Rally,[10] and during the announcement on 11 December, in which Q Motorsport became Audi's factory team.[5] 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.[11][12] 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.[13]

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.[14]

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."[15][16]

Complete Dakar Rally results

Complete Dakar Rally results
Year Team Class No. Driver, Codriver Position Stages won
2022 Germany Audi Q Motorsport T1-E 200 France Stéphane Peterhansel
France Édouard Boulanger 		Ret 1
202 Spain Carlos Sainz
Spain Lucas Cruz 		12th 2
224 Sweden Mattias Ekström
Sweden Emil Bergkvist 		9th 1
2023 Germany Team Audi Sport T1.U 204 France Stéphane Peterhansel
France Édouard Boulanger 		Ret 0
207 Spain Carlos Sainz
Spain Lucas Cruz 		Ret 1
224 Sweden Mattias Ekström
Sweden Emil Bergkvist 		14th 1
2024 Germany Team Audi Sport T1.U 202 France Stéphane Peterhansel
France Édouard Boulanger 		30th 1
204 Spain Carlos Sainz
Spain Lucas Cruz 		1st 0
207 Sweden Mattias Ekström
Sweden Emil Bergkvist 		26th 2

References

  1. ^ Beckford, Andrew (2022-09-02). "Already Wild Audi RS Q E-Tron E2 Rally Car Gets Wilder, Cuts Weight for Bout in Dakar". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  2. ^ "Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  3. ^ "Audi RS Q e-tron E2: lighter, more aerodynamic and even more efficient". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  4. ^ "Audi RS Q e-tron for 2024: Innovative prototype with many new details". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  5. ^ a b "Project Dakar: Q Motorsport becomes Audi factory team". www.audi-mediacenter.com.
  6. ^ Technical Data: Audi RS Q e-tron
  7. ^ Rallye Dakar: The high-voltage battery in the Audi RS Q e-tron
  8. ^ Staying cool: Complex cooling systems for the Dakar Rally in the Audi RS Q e-tron
  9. ^ Bourret, Jérôme (2024-01-10). "Le casse-tête des commotions" [The headache of concussions]. L'Équipe (in French). No. 25350. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  10. ^ "Audi to compete in Dakar Rally". www.audi-mediacenter.com.
  11. ^ Miller, Caleb (2021-07-23). "671-HP Audi RS Q e-tron Is an Electrified Dakar Rally Racer". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  12. ^ Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally
  13. ^ "Audi RS Q e-tron at the Dakar Rally: Successful start into a new era". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  14. ^ "Emotional first victory in the desert: Audi RS Q e-tron wins in Abu Dhabi". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  15. ^ "Audi RS q-e-tron for 2024 Innovative Prototype With Many New Details (download)". www.audi-mediacenter.com.
  16. ^ "Oldest Dakar winner Sainz takes his fourth title at 61". Reuters. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  • Press kit: RS Q e-tron (*This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.)