Double premiere:Audi and Ducati inspire at offroad event

There has never been such an opportunity: Audi and Ducati welcomed international media to Sardinia for a double debut. For the first time, journalists were able to ride the new DesertX motorcycle and to drive the RS Q e-tron for the Dakar Rally. The designers of both brands have created an unmistakable, joint look for the motorcycle and the car. Expert instructions from Audi drivers Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger, Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz and Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci rounded off the formative experience. Read more

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Next challenge for the Audi RS Q e-tron in Abu Dhabi

After its debut with four stage victories at the Dakar Rally in January, the Audi RS Q e-tron is facing its next challenge: From March 6 to 10, the innovative desert prototype with electric drivetrain, a high-voltage battery and the highly efficient energy converter will contest the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Team Audi Sport is fielding a car with factory drivers Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger in the second round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Read more

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Audi RS Q e-tron at the Dakar Rally: Successful start into a new era

The most complex race car in Audi’s history to date passed its baptism of fire at the Dakar Rally with flying colors. All three Audi RS Q e-tron cars mastered the world’s toughest off-road rally on their debut in Saudi Arabia. In total, they covered around 24,000 desert kilometers – almost three times the 8,700 test kilometers that Audi had previously completed. Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist finished ninth in Jeddah as the best Audi driver team in a demanding edition of the desert classic. With the arrival of electric mobility, Audi has ushered in a new era in off-road rallying. Read more

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Half-time results at the Dakar Rally:Three Audi RS Q e-tron prove innovative strength

Six podium finishes in the daily results, reliably working electric drive systems, full competitiveness on debut and fascination with e-mobility at the world’s toughest rally: Audi already puts an exclamation mark on the first half of the Dakar Rally with its innovative strength. Read more

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Fully charged:The high-voltage battery in the Audi RS Q e-tron

The high-voltage battery is located centrally in the drive and literally in the middle of the Audi RS Q e-tron. It embodies the heart of the innovative electric drive with energy converter. Audi intends to use it to set the next milestone in the world’s toughest rally and prove “Vorsprung durch Technik” in the desert as well.

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Dakar reveals details of 2022 Saudi Arabia route

Audi RS Q e-tron

The ASO has revealed the complete route for the 44th Dakar Rally that will take place in Saudi Arabia from 1-14 January.

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To the limit and beyond: Audi tests again for the Dakar Rally in Morocco

Audi Sport took another step towards the Dakar Rally in the second week of November. At the second test in Morocco, Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz took turns in the cockpit of the Audi RS Q e-tron. Read more

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Audi sets safety standards at the Dakar Rally

Long before Audi unveiled the RS Q e-tron to the public in summer 2021, the racing engineering team was already intensively involved in the Dakar Rally. The risks in off-road racing were at the center of the considerations for a sophisticated safety concept. From the electrical safety of the high-voltage system to optimum passenger protection in the event of accidents, the design department mastered many challenges. Read more

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Sainz: Winning Dakar “has to be the goal” in first year with Audi

Sainz: Winning Dakar "has to be the goal" in first year with Audi

Carlos Sainz says he has to target victory in the 2022 Dakar Rally after joining forces with Audi, but is aware of the “gigantic challenge” the German manufacturer faces with a complex electric powertrain.

Two-time World Rally champion Sainz and his former X-raid Mini teammate Stephane Peterhansel will spearhead Audi’s return to cross-country rallying in the Saudi Arabia-based marathon next year, joining former DTM star Mattias Ekstrom in a three-car line-up.

The Ingolstadt-based manufacturer is entering the Dakar with the radical RS Q e-tron, taking advantage of new rules that will allow it to challenge for outright victories with an electric-powered car.

However, the nature of the powertrain has added an extra degree of challenge and head of Audi Sport Andreas Roos admitted last month that a lot of work remains to be done following a two-week test in the Moroccan desert.

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100 days to go until the Dakar Rally: A race against time for Audi Sport

In 100 days from now, the 44th edition of the famous Dakar Rally will kick off. For Audi Sport, this marks the beginning of a real race against time. Read more

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