By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring
Audi RS Q e-tron passed its baptism of fire at the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia with flying colours.
In the world’s toughest off-road rally, they covered around 24,000 desert kilometres.
Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist finished ninth in Jeddah as the best Audi driver team in the desert classic.
With the arrival of electric mobility, Audi has ushered in a new era in off- road rallying.
“Audi has lived up to its pioneering role in the Dakar Rally right from the start,” says Oliver
Hoffmann, Audi Board Member for Technical Development.
“The alternative drive concept of the Audi RS Q e-tron has met all expectations with its electric drivetrain, high-voltage battery and highly efficient energy converter.
“For more than four decades, our brand has repeatedly impressed with its innovations in motorsport – including in the world’s toughest rally.”
Audi developed the RS Q e-tron to operational readiness in just over a year.
“Thanks to the highly efficient electric powertrain, the three race cars compete in the new T1 Ultimate class for low-emission vehicles. Audi’s prototypes have made history as the first representatives of this new class and achieved stage wins.
Stéphane Peterhansel, the record winner with 14 Dakar victories, summed up the enthusiasm the drive inspires: “I’ve driven many concepts in the desert but the Audi RS Q
e-tron is simply sensational in the dunes.
The electric drive with its good torque perfectly suits my driving style.”
