Audi RS Q e-tron
{{About|the off-road competition car|the concept car featured in Spies in Disguise|Audi RSQ e-tron}}
{{Short description|Cross-country rally car}}
{{Infobox racing car
| name = Audi RS Q e-tron*
| image = Exposition Paris-Dakar-01.jpg
| caption = The Audi RS Q e-tron at Rétromobile 2024
| category = Rally raid
| aka =
| assembly =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| Team = {{flagicon|GER}} Audi
| Drivers = {{ubl|{{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphane Peterhansel,
{{flagicon|CHE}} Edouard Boulanger|{{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos Sainz,
{{flagicon|ESP}} Lucas Cruz |{{flagicon|SWE}} Mattias Ekström, {{flagicon|SWE}} Emil Bergkvist}}
| First_win = 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
| Last_win = 2024 Dakar Rally
| Last_event = 2024 Dakar Rally
| Entries = 4
| Races = 4
| Wins = 2
| Podiums = 2
| Technical ref =
| platform =
| engine name = Audi RC8 TFSI I4 (turbo petrol; generator only)
| Transmission type = One single-speed racing gearbox per axle with
| Differential = 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)
| wheelbase =
| length = {{convert|4500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2300|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1950|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|2100|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| Tyres = BF Goodrich front/rear 37x12,5 R17
| related =
| sp =
| electric motor = 3x Audi MGU05 permanent magnet (electric; 2-motors per axle and 1-motor for engine generator)
| capacity = {{convert|2000|cc}}
| engine position = front mid mounted AWD
| power = {{convert|562|hp}} (combined)
| torque = {{convert|600|lb.ft}} (combined)
}}
The Audi RS Q e-tron is an off-road competition car, built by Audi under the e-tron battery electric sub-brand. Unveiled in 2021,{{cite web|title=Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally|url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-test-laboratory-for-possible-future-technologies-at-the-dakar-rally-14118|access-date=2024-07-22}} it is specially designed for competing in rally raids. An upgraded model, dubbed the Audi RS Q e-tron E2, debuted in 2022.{{cite web|title=Audi RS Q e-tron E2: lighter, more aerodynamic and even more efficient|url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-e2-lighter-more-aerodynamic-and-even-more-efficient-14883|access-date=2024-07-22}} A slightly updated version of the vehicle{{cite web|title=Audi RS Q e-tron for 2024: Innovative prototype with many new details|url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-for-2024-innovative-prototype-with-many-new-details-15738|access-date=2024-07-22}} won the 2024 Dakar Rally.
Development
It was mentioned as an unnamed prototype during the 2020-12-11 announcement of Q Motorsport becoming Audi factory team.{{cite web|url=http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/project-dakar-q-motorsport-becomes-audi-factory-team-13510|title=Project Dakar: Q Motorsport becomes Audi factory team|website=www.audi-mediacenter.com}}
Specifications
File:Audi RS Q e-tron Dakar (53048651978).jpg
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 {{convert|288|kW}}.[http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/audi-at-the-dakar-rally-13989/technical-data-audi-rs-q-e-tron-14121 Technical Data: Audi RS Q e-tron]
- Energy converter maximum charging power of {{convert|220|kW}}.[http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/rallye-dakarthe-high-voltage-battery-in-the-audi-rs-q-e-tron-14453 Rallye Dakar: The high-voltage battery in the Audi RS Q e-tron]
- A TFSI engine rated approximately {{convert|200|kW}}.[http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/staying-cool-complex-cooling-systems-for-the-dakar-rally-in-the-audi-rs-q-e-tron-14439 Staying cool: Complex cooling systems for the Dakar Rally in the Audi RS Q e-tron]
The car is described as brutal to drive, because of the sharp acceleration of its electric engine and the rigidity of its seats. Stéphane Peterhansel described the driving as "A boxing match from start to finish" during the 2023 Dakar Rally, raising fear of concussion for crews.{{cite magazine |last=Bourret |first=Jérôme |date=2024-01-10 |title=Le casse-tête des commotions |trans-title=The headache of concussions |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rallye-raid/Article/Sur-le-dakar-le-casse-tete-des-commotions-cerebrales/1441257 |language=fr |magazine=L'Équipe |issue=25350 |page=23 |access-date=2024-01-10 }}
Competition history
On 30 November 2020, Audi announced their intent to compete in the Dakar Rally,{{cite web|url=http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/project-dakar-q-motorsport-becomes-audi-factory-team-13510|title=Audi to compete in Dakar Rally|website=www.audi-mediacenter.com}} and during the announcement on 11 December, in which Q Motorsport became Audi's factory team. Three crews of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger 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.{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Caleb|date=2021-07-23|title=671-HP Audi RS Q e-tron Is an Electrified Dakar Rally Racer|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37114849/audi-rs-q-e-tron-dakar-rally/|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Car and Driver|language=en-US}}[http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-test-laboratory-for-possible-future-technologies-at-the-dakar-rally-14118 Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally] 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.{{Cite web |title=Audi RS Q e-tron at the Dakar Rally: Successful start into a new era |url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com:443/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-at-the-dakar-rallysuccessful-start-into-a-new-era-14468 |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Audi MediaCenter |language=en}}
At the 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Peterhansel and Boulanger made history by winning the event and giving the RS Q e-tron its first win, and the first win for an electric vehicle in a rally raid.{{Cite web |title=Emotional first victory in the desert: Audi RS Q e-tron wins in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com:443/en/press-releases/emotional-first-victory-in-the-desertaudi-rs-q-e-tron-wins-in-abu-dhabi-14535 |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Audi MediaCenter |language=en}}
At the 2024 Dakar Rally, Carlos Sainz took the RS Q e-tron's first Dakar win which was helped by the new technical director, Dr. Pascali Leonardo.
Leonardo went on to describe the win as, the “best professional experience of my life."{{Cite web |title=Audi RS q-e-tron for 2024 Innovative Prototype With Many New Details (download) |url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-rs-q-e-tron-for-2024-innovative-prototype-with-many-new-details-15738/download |website=www.audi-mediacenter.com}}{{cite news|date=January 19, 2023|title=Oldest Dakar winner Sainz takes his fourth title at 61|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/formula1/audis-sainz-wins-dakar-rally-fourth-time-61-2024-01-19/|access-date=January 19, 2023}}
=Complete Dakar Rally results=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" |
| +Complete Dakar Rally results
! Year ! Team ! Class ! {{abbr|No.|Car number}} ! Driver, Codriver ! Position ! Stages won |
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| rowspan="3" | {{flagicon|DEU}} Audi Q Motorsport | rowspan="3" | T1-E | 200 | align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphane Peterhansel | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | Ret | 1 |
|---|
| 202
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos Sainz | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | 12th | 2 |
| 224
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|SWE}} Mattias Ekström | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | 9th | 1 |
| rowspan="3" | 2023
| rowspan="3" | {{flagicon|DEU}} Team Audi Sport | rowspan="3" | T1.U | 204 | align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphane Peterhansel | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | Ret | 0 |
| 207
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos Sainz | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | Ret | 1 |
| 224
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|SWE}} Mattias Ekström | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | 14th | 1 |
| rowspan="3" | 2024
| rowspan="3" | {{flagicon|DEU}} Team Audi Sport | rowspan="3" | T1.U | 202 | align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphane Peterhansel | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | 30th | 1 |
| 204
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos Sainz | style="background:#FFFFBF;" | 1st | 0 |
| 207
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|SWE}} Mattias Ekström | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | 26th | 2 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Press kit: [http://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/presskits/audi-rs-q-e-tron-14127 RS Q e-tron] (*This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model.)
{{Audi}}