Audi RS Q e-tron
| Category | Rally raid | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Audi | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Length | 4,500 mm (177.2 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 2,300 mm (90.6 in) | ||||||||
| Height | 1,950 mm (76.8 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | 2.0L Audi RC8 TFSI I4 (turbo petrol; generator only) 3x Audi MGU05 permanent magnet (electric; 2-motors per axle and 1-motor for engine generator) 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp) (Engine) 288 kW (392 PS; 386 hp) (2x Motors) --> Mid-engine + Dual motors, All wheel drive | ||||||||
| Transmission | One 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 | ||||||||
| Battery | 52 kWh lithium-ion cells High Voltage Battery System (HVBS) | ||||||||
| Tyres | BF Goodrich front/rear 37x12,5 R17 | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants |  Audi | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | |||||||||
| First win | 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge | ||||||||
| Last win | 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge | ||||||||
| Last event | 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge | ||||||||
| |||||||||
The Audi RS Q e-tron is an off-road competition car, built by Audi under the e-tron battery electric sub-brand. It was specially designed to take part in the rally raids.
Development[]
It was mentioned as an unnamed prototype during the 2020-12-11 announcement of becoming Audi factory team.[1]
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 288 kilowatts (386 hp).[2]
- Energy converter maximum charging power of 220 kilowatts (300 hp).[3]
- A TFSI engine rated approximately 200 kilowatts (270 hp).[4]
Competition history[]
On 30 November 2020, Audi announced their intent to compete in the Dakar Rally,[5] and during the announcement on 11 December, in which Q Motorsport became Audi's factory team.[1] Three crews of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, Stéphane Peterhansel and 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.[6][7] 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.[8]
At the 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Peterhansel and Boulanger made history by winning the event and giving the RS Q e-tron it's first win, and the first win for an electric vehicle in a rally raid.[9]
References[]
- ^ a b "Project Dakar: Q Motorsport becomes Audi factory team". www.audi-mediacenter.com.
- ^ Technical Data: Audi RS Q e-tron
- ^ Rallye Dakar: The high-voltage battery in the Audi RS Q e-tron
- ^ Staying cool: Complex cooling systems for the Dakar Rally in the Audi RS Q e-tron
- ^ "Audi to compete in Dakar Rally". www.audi-mediacenter.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally
- ^ "Audi RS Q e-tron at the Dakar Rally: Successful start into a new era". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ "Emotional first victory in the desert: Audi RS Q e-tron wins in Abu Dhabi". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
External links[]
- Press kit: RS Q e-tron
- Rally cars
- Rally raid cars
- Audi racing cars
- Hybrid electric cars
- Electric cars
- Cars introduced in 2021