The electric also lands in the category rally raid, speed racing in the desert. Audi is the first manufacturer to have presented an electric prototype that will take part in the Dakar next January: Rs Q e-tron.
How is the Rs Q e-tron
Less than a year after the birth of the Dakar project, Audi Sport has started long tests of the Audi Rs Q e-tron, the vehicle with which the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer will participate in the most famous rally raid in the world in an official capacity. The prototype is equipped with three electric motors derived from the Audi e-tron FE07 Formula E single-seater, engaged in the top series of zero-emission sports motorsport. They are located one on each axle plus a third unit which acts as a generator to help recharge the battery. In addition, the recharge is entrusted to a range extender, represented by a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol powertrain direct injection derived from the Dtm, the German touring championship. The system power reaches 680 hp, the traction is all-wheel and only electric. Transmission is single speed, for the benefit of a simplification of the mechanics compared to competitors with traditional engines and gearboxes.
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The challenge of the Dakar
The Dakar is a unique rally raid and constitutes one of the greatest challenges engines e engineering in the world. The marathon event lasts two weeks and includes stages every day long up to 800 kilometers. Audi will be the first manufacturer in the world to participate in the Dakar with a powertrain alternativo which combines the efforts made up to now by adding an important piece that will be useful for the production cars of the coming years.
The future of the project
Audi has developed the Dakar project by drawing on research and development already available from other disciplines (Formula E and Dtm), then adding the characteristics and needs deriving from participation in a rally raid, where, for example, charging stations are not available. The result of this effort will benefit the future Bev models (Battery Electric Vehicle) of the four rings.