Audi RS Q e-tron endures grueling test in Morocco to prepare for Dakar Rally

MANILA: Audi is gearing up for its debut in the legendary Dakar Rally next year with the RS Q e-tron, the first electric car to participate in the world’s most demanding motorsport event.

Audi’s participation at the Dakar Rally signifies the brand’s transition toward electromobility. The German automotive manufacturer previously revealed that it aims to be completely carbon-neutral by 2050. The company targets to have more than 20 fully and 10 partially electric models by 2025. It is also working on reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicle fleet by 30% compared to 2015 levels.

The Audi RS Q e-tron features an electric powertrain with two 250kW motor-generator units (MGU) taken from the brand’s Formula E racecar. One MGU is installed on the front axle, while the other is on the rear axle. Each MGU weighs less than 35 kg and has an efficiency rating of 97%. The car is also equipped with a third MGU paired with an Audi TFSI internal-combustion engine. This MGU serves as an energy converter that recharges the high-voltage battery while in motion.

In preparation for the grueling Dakar Rally, the RS Q e-tron has undergone an extensive two-week testing program in the desert and sand dunes of Morocco. The highly complex prototype was tested by Audi’s powerhouse driver pairings for the Dakar Rally, including Stephane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekstrom, Edouard Boulanger, Lucas Cruz, and Emil Bergkvist.

In a statement, Audi Q Motorsport Division Team Principal Sven Quandt said, “Some of the conditions the test team encountered in Morocco were extreme — the thermometer climbed to well over 40 degrees Celsius at times. Sandstorms also hampered the testing. In addition, some new problems arose in the high temperatures, which repeatedly caused interruptions to the testing and needed to be solved before the next test.”

Quandt also explained that even though the much lower temperatures are expected at the Dakar Rally, Audi deliberately conducted the testing program in Morocco to evaluate the car’s performance under the most extreme conditions.

While the test program was ongoing, Audi Sport, the brand’s high-performance division, has already started the construction of the first car intended for competition. Although the test car was just a prototype, Audi ensures that the knowledge obtained from testing will help in the development of actual competition cars. The experience gained from the Dakar Rally will then be used in technologies for other upcoming fully electric e-tron production cars.

Photos from Audi

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