Just under a year after the initial concept idea, the Audi RS Q e-tron was released in July 2021 and competed in the Dakar Rally for the first time in January 2022. The Team Audi Sport won four stages of the legendary Rally.

The Concept: Because there are no charging opportunities in the desert, an innovative charging concept was choosen: On board of the Audi RS Q e-tron, there is the highly efficient TFSI engine from the DTM. It is part of an energy converter that charges the high-voltage battery while driving. Since the combustion engine is operated in the particularly efficient range of between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm, the specific consumption is well below 200 grams per kWh.

The drivetrain of the Audi RS Q e-tron is electric. The front and rear axles are both fitted with a motor-generator unit (MGU) from the current Audi e-tron FE07 Formula E car which had been developed by Audi Sport for the 2021 season. Only minor modifications had to be made to use the MGU in the Dakar Rally.