conceptcarz.com

2021 Audi RS Q e-tron

Audi RS Q e-tron: Test laboratory for possible future technologies at the Dakar Rally

• Futuristic prototype with innovative drive concept
•High-voltage battery is charged while driving
•Testing has already started

Clear the stage for an electrifying high-tech test laboratory: just under a year after the initial concept idea, Audi Sport has started testing the new Audi RS Q e-tron, with which Audi will take on one of the greatest challenges there is in international racing in January 2022: the Dakar Rally

Únique: Audi wants to be the first car manufacturer to use an electrified drivetrain in combination with an efficient energy converter to compete for overall victory against conventionally-powered competitors in the world's toughest rally. 'The quattro was a gamechanger for the World Rally Championship. Audi was the first brand to win the Le Mans 24 Hours with an electrified drivetrain. Now, we want to usher in a new era at the Dakar Rally, while testing and further developing our e-tron technology under extreme conditions,' says Julius Seebach, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport at Audi. 'Our RS Q e-tron was created on a blank sheet of paper in record time and stands for Vorsprung durch Technik.'

2021 Audi RS Q e-tronThe characteristics of the Dakar Rally present the engineers with special challenges. The marathon event lasts two weeks and the daily stages are up to 800 kilometers in length. 'That's a very long distance,' says Andreas Roos, responsible for the Dakar project at Audi Sport. 'What we are trying to do has never been done before. This is the ultimate challenge for an electric drivetrain.'

Because there are no charging opportunities in the desert, Audi has chosen an innovative charging concept: Onboard 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 (MGÚ) from the current Audi e-tron FE07 Formula E car which has been developed by Audi Sport for the 2021 season. Only minor modifications had to be made to use the MGÚ in the Dakar Rally.

A third MGÚ, of identical design, is part of the energy converter and serves to recharge the high1voltage battery while driving. In addition, energy is recuperated during braking. The battery weighs about 370 kilograms and has a capacity of around 50 kWh.

'The battery is also a proprietary development that we have realized together with a partner,' says Stefan Dreyer, Head of Development at Audi Sport for motorsport projects. 'As engineers, we basically see development potential in every component. But in terms of the drivetrain system, we have already achieved a system efficiency of over 97 percent in Formula E. There's not much more room for improvement. The situation is quite different with the battery and energy management. This is where the greatest development potential lies in electromobility in general. What we learn from the extremely challenging Dakar project will flow into future production models. As always, we are also working closely with our colleagues from road car development on this project.'

The maximum system power of the e-drivetrain is 500 kW. How much of this may be used during the Dakar Rally is still being finalized by the organizers. The electric drivetain offers many advantages. The electric motors can be controlled extremely precisely and can thus ensure good drivability. In addition, braking energy can be recovered.

The Audi RS Q e-tron only needs one forward gear. The front and rear axles are not mechanically connected, as is also common in electric vehicles. The software developed by Audi takes over the torque distribution between the axles and thus creates a virtual and freely configurable center differential, which has the positive side effect of being able to save the weight and space that would have been required by propshafts and a mechanical differential.

2021 Audi RS Q e-tron
Visually, the Audi RS Q e-tron also differs significantly from conventionally-powered Dakar prototypes. 'The vehicle looks futuristic and has many design elements that are typical of Audi,' says Juan Manuel Diaz, Team Leader of Motorsport Design at Audi. 'Our aim was to symbolize Vorsprung durch Technik and the future of our brand.'


The Dakar Rally entry is being run in conjunction with Q Motorsport. 'Audi has always chosen new and bold paths in racing, but I think this is one of the most complex cars that I have ever seen,' says team principal Sven Quandt. 'The electric drivetrain means that a lot of different systems have to communicate with each other. Besides reliability, which is paramount in the Dakar Rally, that's our biggest challenge in the coming months.'

Quandt compares Audi's Dakar project to the first moon landing: 'Back then, the engineers didn't really know what was coming. It's similar with us. If we finish the first Dakar event, that's already a success.'

The prototype of the Audi RS Q e-tron had its first roll-out in Neuburg at the beginning of July. An intensive test program and the first test entries at cross-country rallies are on the agenda from now until the end of the year.

'This project's schedule is extremely packed and challenging,' says Andreas Roos. 'Less than twelve months have passed since the project officially started. We had to begin the development while the regulations for alternatively-powered vehicles had not even been finalized yet. And all of the development took place during the Corona pandemic. You mustn't underestimate that either. What the team has achieved so far is unique. The roll-out was a very special moment for everyone.'

Source - Audi

Recent Vehicle Additions

Related Automotive News

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

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

Second outing for innovative prototype from Audi Sport Desert rally in the Emirates with different requirements than Dakar Julius Seebach Showing what is possible After its debut with four stage victories at the Dakar Rally in January, the Au...
Audi RS Q e-tron at the Dakar Rally: Successful start into a new era in electrified racing

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

Oliver Hoffmann, Board Member for Technical Development Pioneering role fulfilled Julius Seebach Historic result for Audi Four stage wins and a total of 14 podium results on the stages The most complex race car in Audis history to date pass...

High-tech control center in the desert: the cockpit of the Audi RS Q e-tron for the Dakar Rally

Distribution of competencies driver and co-driver share the operation Everything in view from vehicle functions to navigation Challenge in off-road sports orientation as a competitive factor A look inside the Audi RS Q e-tron rally car should...
Audi RS Q e-tron being put through its paces under the Spanish sun

Audi RS Q e-tron being put through its paces under the Spanish sun

Prototype for Dakar Rally completes eight-day test All three Audi Sport driver teams deployed Up to 112mph at a maximum of 34 degrees centigrade in the shade On the way to its debut at the Dakar Rally in January 2022, the team of Audi Sport has t...
Audi at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed: S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to make UK debut

Audi at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed: S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to make UK debut

Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to tackle the hillclimb Racing legend Tom Kristensen will take to the wheel Dakar racer RS Q e-tron to make UK debut Trio of Le Mans 24hrs icons - R8, R10 and R18 - mark 100 years of the race Hannu Mikkolas qu...
Audi enters Formula 1

Audi enters Formula 1

Development of a power unit for the premier class of motorsport from the 2026 season Hybrid power unit will be developed at Audi Sport facility in Neuburg an der Donau under Adam Bakers leadership New rules focusing on increasing sustainability...
100 days to go until the Dakar Rally: A race against time for Audi Sport

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

Assembly of the rally cars has begun Audi RS Q e-tron with complex powertrain concept Four kilometers of cables, two central control units and six cooling systems In 100 days from now, the 44th edition of the famous Dakar Rally will kick off. Fo...
Heat and sandstorms: Morocco test for the Audi RS Q e-tron rally car

Heat and sandstorms: Morocco test for the Audi RS Q e-tron rally car

Extreme conditions during two-week test in the desert First test in the dunes for the electric drivetrain Andreas Roos We still have a lot to do before the Dakar Rally On the way to its debut in the famous Dakar Rally in January 2022, Audi S...
Audi with 'Dream Team' at the Dakar Rally

Audi with 'Dream Team' at the Dakar Rally

Driver teams confirmed for Audi Sports Dakar project Audi to herald energy revolution in cross-country rallying Dakar record winner, World Rally champion and DTM champion start for Audi Audi is the first car manufacturer to fight for overall v...