¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
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RS Q e-tron
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The new Audi RS Q e-tron¹ is the second evolution of the contender from the brand with the four rings for one of the greatest challenges that there is in international motorsport: the Dakar Rally. The original Audi RS Q e-tron¹ scored four stage wins during its debut at the Dakar Rally in 2022 and shortly thereafter won its first desert rally at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Audi is the first car manufacturer to use an electric drivetrain in combination with an efficient energy converter² to compete for overall victory at the Dakar Rally. The innovative prototype² was significantly improved for the 2023 Dakar Rally, where Team Audi Sport had good individual results with the Audi RS Q e-tron¹, but also experienced setbacks. The preparation now continues for the 2024 Dakar Rally.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
Motor generator units (MGU)
3
One MGU on each axle and one as energy converter²
Acceleration
less than
4.5
seconds
from 0 to 100 km/h on loose surfaces
Top speed
170
km/h
limited by the ASO regulations
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Highlights of the Audi RS Q e-tron¹
Audi RS Q e-tron¹
The distinguishing aspects of the Audi RS Q e-tron¹:
- Utilizes an innovative drivetrain concept²
- High-voltage battery is charged while driving via an energy converter²
- Three motor-generator units (MGU), one on each axle and one part of the energy converter²
- Futuristic prototype that is now in its second evolution stage
- Fundamentally new body improves weight distribution and airflow
- Improved operating strategy and control concept
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
Innovative drivetrain concept²
Because there are no charging opportunities in the desert, Audi has chosen an innovative charging concept²: On board of the Audi RS Q e-tron¹, there is the highly efficient 2.0 liter four cylinder turbo TFSI engine from the DTM. It is part of an energy converter that charges the high-voltage battery while driving.
The drivetrain of the Audi RS Q e-tron¹ is electric². The front and rear axles are both fitted with a motor-generator unit (MGU) from the Audi e-tron FE07⁴ Formula E car. Only minor modifications had to be made to use the MGU in the Dakar Rally.
A third MGU, of identical design, is part of the energy converter and serves to recharge the high-voltage battery while driving. In addition, energy is recuperated during braking. The battery weighs about 370 kilograms and has a capacity of around 52 kWh.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
⁴This vehicle mentioned here is the former Formula E vehicle that is not available as a production model.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
⁴This vehicle mentioned here is the former Formula E vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Second evolution
The new Audi RS Q e-tron¹ is lighter, more aerodynamic and has improved efficiency. The body is completely new and features improved aerodynamics. It helps lower the prototype’s weight and center of gravity. New operating strategies further improve the efficiency of the electric drivetrain². In the interior and when changing wheels, the driver and co-driver benefit from easier operation.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
New for 2023: reFuels save more than 60 percent carbon dioxide³
To further reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Audi relies on residue-based products that do not compete with foodstuffs for the fuel used in the Audi RS Q e-tron¹. Behind this is a process that converts biomass into ethanol in a first step. The final fuel is then produced in further process steps. The process is abbreviated to ethanol-to-gasoline (ETG). The process engineers use biogenic plant parts as the starting product.
The tank content of the RS Q e-tron¹ consists of 80 percent sustainable components, including ETG and e-methanol. This fuel is required by the energy converter², whose combustion engine part operates with high compression and thus very efficiently to supply electricity for the electric drivetrain². So while the drivetrain concept² in principle already requires less fuel than conventional systems, there is now a further optimization. With this fuel mixture, the Audi RS Q e-tron¹ saves more than 60 percent in carbon dioxide emissions³.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
³When compared to fossil fuel. The savings are certified and also take into account any CO₂ emissions from the production process.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the right: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
³When compared to fossil fuel. The savings are certified and also take into account any CO₂ emissions from the production process.
Design
in Detail
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured in the images above: This vehicle is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured in the images above: This vehicle is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Audi RS Q e-tron pictured above: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
Technical data
| Audi RS Q e-tron¹ | |
|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Rally Raid Vehicle (Category T1U – alternative drivetrains²) |
| Chassis | Steel tube frame in combination with structural components in carbon/Zylon fiber composite |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive with electrically driven axles² |
| E-drivetrains on the axles | One Audi MGU05 from Formula E per axle |
| Output | Total system power under 263 kW (358 hp) |
| Transmission | One single-speed racing gearbox per axle, including limited-slip differential (software-based), virtual center differential with freely selectable torque distribution on front and rear axle |
| Battery | High Voltage Battery System (HVBS), approx. 370 kg (wet), lithium-ion cells, usable battery capacity approx. 52 kWh, charging with max. 220 kW (299 hp) while driven through energy converter² |
| Energy converter² | 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo engine from the DTM coupled via a shaft with a generator (Audi MGU05 from Formula E) Speed- and torque-controlled generator operation at the energy converter’s maximum efficiency with intelligent battery charging and energy management. Energy measurement through Fuel Flow Meter |
| Tyres | BF Goodrich front/rear 37x12,5 R17 |
| Dimensions | 4,670 / 2,300 / 1,950 Length / Width /Height (mm) |
| Minimum weight | 2,100 kg without drivers |
| 0–100 km/h | Less than 4.5 seconds (on loose surface) |
| Top speed | Limited to max. 170 km/h |
¹This vehicle mentioned here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
¹This vehicle mentioned here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.
²The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system based on the TFSI engine and a generator.
Dakar 01/15/2023
Dakar Rally 2023
Team Audi Sport continued to push and work right to the end of the 2023 Dakar Rally, despite various setbacks. The Audi RS Q e-tron¹ scored a total of 14 podium results on 15 event days.
Read more
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt.
¹Audi RS Q e-tron pictured to the left: This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt.
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