Prototype for Dakar Rally completes eight-day test
All three Audi Sport driver teams deployed
Up to 180 km/h at a maximum of 34 degrees centigrade in the shade
On the way to its debut at the Dakar Rally in January 2022, the team of Audi Sport has taken another important step: The new Audi RS Q e-tron completed an eight-day endurance test in sweltering heat in Spain on gravel sections of the kind typically used in cross-country rallies.
The roll-out in Neuburg an der Donau on June 30th was an initial functional check for the innovative rally car. A test in the area of Magdeburg in mid-July was focused on gathering initial experiences on unpaved ground. Now the first test in realistic conditions followed at a test area near the Spanish city of Zaragoza.
| The three driver teams were obviously impressed with the handling and reliability of the futuristic SUV on the fast gravel sections. âFor a first test in proper conditions for the car Iâm really happy how the car behaves already,â said Carlos Sainz on behalf of his fellow drivers. âI had a really good feeling straight away. Of course, there is fine-tuning to be done â but the starting point is good.â
On the up to 17 kilometer long gravel sections, the Audi RS Q e-tron achieved a top speed of 180 km/h. In addition, temperatures of up to 34 degrees centigrade in the shade marked an initial litmus test for the cooling concept of the complex vehicle. |
| âThis test was focused on getting in as much driving as possible and detecting weak spots,â development engineer Arnau NiubĂł Bosch said after more than 1,700 test kilometers in extremely harsh conditions. âThe next test in September will take us into the dunes for the first time.âÂ
The Audi RS Q e-tron uses an all-electric powertrain with two motor-generator units (MGU) from Formula E. The high-voltage battery that has been newly developed by Audi Sport is recharged while driving via an energy converter consisting of the efficient TFSI engine from the DTM and another MGU. |
