Audi’s New RS Q E-Tron Off-Roader Takes Extreme to the Next Level

Following the reveal of the R8 LMS GT3 EVO II race car, Audi quietly revealed its new Dakar racer – the RS Q E-Tron. This car is destined for the Dakar Rally in 2022, but what is more important is the powertrain. Each axle is fitted with an electric motor adapted from the 2021 Audi E-Tron FE07 Formula E car, but that’s only a small part of the equation. This off-road beast also features a TFSI gasoline engine borrowed from DTM that serves a range-extender of sorts and is an important part of the energy converter system.

According to Audi, the gasoline engine runs between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm which is said to be a “particularly efficient range” with total emissions output being less than 200 grams of CO2 for every kWh fed to the battery. This turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine sucks gas from a 275-liter fuel tank positioned behind the driver and between the front and rear axles. Ahead of this, the energy converter also has a motor-generator unit (MGU) that recharges the battery when the Q E-Tron is being pushed hard.

The battery itself is rated at 50 kW and weighs in at 815 pounds.

The total output delivered from the powertrain is 500 kW or 670 horsepower, but it should be noted that the vehicle has to weigh at least 2,000 kg or 4,409 pounds to be eligible for the Dakar Rally.

As of now, the RS Q E-Tron has already had its first outing, but Audi is putting it through an extensive testing program through the end of the year, which will apparently include entries in various cross-country rallies.