Audi has etched its name in history by securing a triumphant victory at the Dakar Rally with the Audi RS Q e-tron.
This historic win marks the first time a low-emission prototype with an electric drive, high-voltage battery, and energy converter has conquered the world’s toughest desert rally.
The dynamic duo of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz navigated the challenging course, covering approximately 7,900 kilometers with an impressive lead of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Electrified Prowess
The Audi RS Q e-tron boasts an innovative electric all-wheel drive, powered by a high-voltage battery and an energy converter running on residual fuel-based reFuel.
This not only propels the vehicle with remarkable efficiency but also contributes to a significant environmental win by saving 60 percent of CO2 emissions compared to conventional fuels.
Audi Leadership
Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, expressed his congratulations, stating, “Audi has once again set a milestone in motorsport. Winning the world’s toughest desert rally with an electrified drive is a visible ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and points the way to our electric future.”
Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Technical Development, reflected on the accomplishment, “With our revolutionary electrified drive, we have overcome one of the biggest challenges in motorsport after just three years. We are thus continuing a long series of pioneering achievements that have always characterized Audi in four decades of motorsport.”
The Dakar Rally Challenge
The 2024 Dakar Rally presented a formidable challenge with daily stages of often more than 400 kilometers, two marathon stages with limited or no service, and a total of 7,883 kilometers in harsh terrains. The Audi RS Q e-tron navigated sharp scree, gravel roads, towering dunes in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula, and intricate navigation, proving its mettle in every aspect.
Dominance of Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz
Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz showcased their rally prowess, securing an unbeatable lead from the sixth stage onwards. This victory marks their fourth success in the Dakar Rally, a remarkable achievement in a rally career spanning four decades for Sainz.
Team Effort
Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl commended the team’s effort, stating, “That was an overwhelming team performance. Everyone pulled together to make this historic result possible for Audi. A big thank you to this wonderful team.”
The Audi RS Q e-tron Journey
Audi Sport meticulously developed the highly efficient Audi RS Q e-tron over three years, under the technical direction of Dr. Leonardo Pascali.
This achievement adds to Audi’s rich history of pioneering milestones, from introducing quattro all-wheel drive in the 1980s to dominating Le Mans with innovative technologies like TFSI drive and electrified e-tron quattro all-wheel drive.
Our Take
Audi’s victory at the Dakar Rally with the RS Q e-tron signifies a major shift in motorsport, showcasing the capability of electrified drives in the most challenging terrains. This victory not only cements Audi’s legacy in motorsport but also highlights the brand’s commitment to innovative, sustainable technology.