[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/audi\/audi-shows-off-powerful-rs-q-e-tron-off-roader-for-dakar-rally-2022\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/audi\/audi-shows-off-powerful-rs-q-e-tron-off-roader-for-dakar-rally-2022\/","headline":"Audi Shows off Powerful RS Q E-tron off-Roader for Dakar Rally 2022","name":"Audi Shows off Powerful RS Q E-tron off-Roader for Dakar Rally 2022","description":"There\u2019s been a few off-road rallies worthy of note over the years, but the Dakar Rally seems to hold a special place in the hearts of off-road fans. The gruelling race, originally the Paris-Dakar Rally racing from Paris to Senegal, moved to South America in 2008 due to security reasons and has more recently become Saudi Arabia-based. The off-road rally occurs in January, and it\u2019s often the summer before that we start to get a hint of what might be […]","datePublished":"2021-07-29","dateModified":"2021-07-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/feature-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/feature-1.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/audi\/audi-shows-off-powerful-rs-q-e-tron-off-roader-for-dakar-rally-2022\/","about":["Audi","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":557,"keywords":["Audi","dakar rally"],"articleBody":"There\u2019s been a few off-road rallies worthy of note over the years, but the Dakar Rally seems to hold a special place in the hearts of off-road fans. The gruelling race, originally the Paris-Dakar Rally racing from Paris to Senegal, moved to South America in 2008 due to security reasons and has more recently become Saudi Arabia-based. The off-road rally occurs in January, and it\u2019s often the summer before that we start to get a hint of what might be taking part.Right on cue, we have the Formula E powered Audi RS Q E-tron. The lunar-looking off-roader is a result of Audi withdrawing from Formula E after 7 seasons, as well as the DTM, to concentrate entirely on the Dakar Rally and Le Mans. Testing of the E-tron is now underway and rather than trying to keep the beast under wraps any longer, Audi has chosen the summer of 2021 to reveal this high-tech electric powerhouse on oversized wheels. While the E-tron is an electric vehicle, it will still utilise a fossil-fuel engine to charge the battery. If this sounds a bit, well, self-defeating, Audi says that the 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine will spin at very efficient speeds between 4,500 and 6,000 revs per minute emitting less than 200g\/km of CO2 per kWh of power introduced to the 50kWh battery as a result. The reason for this complicated way of doing things is that the Dakar Rally is made up of daily distances that can be up to 560 miles long – and if any competing driver manages to find a charging point during the race – it\u2019s likely to be a mirage.Audi\u2019s Formula E technology provides twin motors at each axle; these are very similar in design to the units used in Lucas di Grassi\u2019s Puebla win in Formula E this year. All in all, the total output of the Audi RS Q E-tron is a whopping 671bhp (any potential Dakar race restrictions for 2022 aside). Along with the petrol engine from a donor RS5 DTM race car, regenerative braking will also aid in charging the battery.Audi has a long history of being involved in motorsport and began to concentrate on Le Mans back in 2000, going on to gain 13 incredible wins over the next 15 years – including becoming the first team to win with a hybrid vehicle. With a record like that, heavily investing in a pure Dakar-bred off-roader doesn\u2019t sound like such a bad idea, and Audi now has set its sights on becoming the first team to win with an electric vehicle charged with a petrol engine in a field that is likely to consist entirely of standard fuelled off-roaders.Audi plans to enter the Audi RS Q E-tron in Dakar Rally 2022, which begins early in the year in January. Three RS Q E-trons will compete, and Audi has got an impressive roster of drivers ready to go. Carlos Sainz has won the Dakar 3 times in the past as well as several other rallies. Meanwhile, Mattius Ekstr\u00f6m has 2 DTM victories under his belt along with a World Rallycross Championship win. Though arguably the icing on the cake is St\u00e9phane Peterhansel, world record holding Dakar Rally driver with an unprecedented 14 wins. I certainly wouldn\u2019t be willing to bet against Audi achieving their goal over a tough 2-weeks in January 2022.Images: motor1.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"By Manufacturer","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Audi","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/\/audi\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Audi Shows off Powerful RS Q E-tron off-Roader for Dakar Rally 2022","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/by-manufacturer\/audi\/audi-shows-off-powerful-rs-q-e-tron-off-roader-for-dakar-rally-2022\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]