Lighter, more efficient 're-evolution' of Audi RS Q e-tron E2 to take on Dakar

E-Car Original? A few days ago, Audi officially unveiled the RS Q e-tron E2, which is based on the RS Q e-tron's electric drive architecture and core components such as the e-quattro four-wheel drive, and optimized for appearance, weight and other aspects of the design, resulting in better aerodynamic performance to better improve energy efficiency.

Audi is the first brand to challenge the Dakar Rally with an electric car, with the Audi RS Q e-tron winning three stages last season, and the RS Q e-tron E2, the "version 2.0", is set to compete in the 2022 Rally of Morocco and the 2023 Dakar Rally. Dakar Rally 2023.

As we all know, the Dakar Rally is a real battle between man and nature, and attracts many manufacturers and professional drivers every year. As a professional cross-country rally, in addition to the huge temperature difference between day and night, the racing car breaks down, loses its direction, or runs out of food and fuel are all potentially uncontrollable factors.

Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, said of the arrival of the RS Q e-tron E2: "The team has come up with a new, more impactful design for the body, which doesn't use the same architecture as the previous one, and has lightened the design so that it's more like a race car, which lowers the center of gravity, as well as enhancing the aerodynamics of the new model. aerodynamic performance enhancements in an effort to bring new breakthroughs for the new season."

The Audi RS Q e-tron, the first new-energy vehicle in the race's history, won three of the 12 stages on its debut, becoming the first time in the history of the Dakar that an electric-powered car has won a stage, and allaying previous concerns about whether an electrified Audi could finish the race successfully.

The RS Q e-tron E2, the successor to the RS Q, will continue to use the previous supercharged hybrid system consisting of a 2.0T engine + 3 electric power, but it has also been improved and upgraded, including more precise energy control for the power supply, and optimized energy consumption of auxiliary system operation strategies such as servo pumps, air conditioning cooling pumps and fans to further optimize the energy consumption of the auxiliary systems. details of the auxiliary systems have been optimized to enhance the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

The more stunning exterior design on the RS Q e-tron E2, which delivers even better aerodynamic performance. Relying on Audi's very rich pool of expertise in the field of aerodynamics, the R&D team has applied a lot of experimental concepts to the overall form of the E2, which can even be said to be a version of the Le Mans Prototype Race Car (LMP) in Dakar.

Benedikt Brunninger, Technical Manager of Audi Sport's Dakar Rally Program, said: "The Dakar-tested electric drive platform has proved its reliability and stability, and in the battle for desert rallying, aerodynamics should not be underestimated, and the new exterior design makes the RS Q e-tron E2 even more excellent aerodynamics, reducing the combined wind resistance by around 15 percent, and the same success stories will be followed in the production car in the future."

And Stéphane Peterhansel, Audi Sport Team driver and Dakar Rally winning record holder, is equally excited about the new race car: "Last season, driving the Audi RS Q e-tron's innovative electric drive system made for a very entertaining drive, with all the power on tap and easy to maneuver - just focus on steering, throttle and speed. Our first overall class win at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has proven its strength. Electric racing has brought me a new experience and for the RS Q e-tron?E2 has made me even more excited about the breakthroughs of the new season, which I am willing to explore with Audi."

In addition, the interior of the RS Q e-tron E2 cockpit has been simplified, with the displays still within the driver's field of vision, located in the center console in the previous style, and the central switch panel with 24 display zones retained. However, the engineers have reorganized the display and control systems to optimize the operating experience. Changing a worn tire has also been made easier with new ten-spoke rims from partner Rotiform, which are easier to handle, allowing drivers and navigators to grip the wheel more easily and change it more safely.

The RS Q e-tron demonstrates Audi's innovation and breakthroughs in the face of the complex natural environment of the Dakar route, as Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Audi, said, "The Dakar Rally is the toughest race in the world and the perfect stage for Audi to develop and test innovative technologies. "

On the success of the 2022 season with the RS Q e-tron, Stéphane Peterhansel said, "All aspects of the Audi RS Q e-tron ran very well during the first stage of the campaign for 2022, and we took the overall victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. So I am confident that this year's RS Q e-tron E2 will not only be more reliable, but will deliver even better race performance."

The RS Q e-tron E2, the second Audi electric race car to compete in the Dakar Rally, continues the highly innovative electric drive system of its predecessor, but also upgrades the details of the car to show even more different and futuristic concepts, with the Audi driver-navigator duo of Mattias Ekstr?m and Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel and Edmund Krausekvist, and the Audi driver-navigator team of Mattias Ekstr?m and Emil Bergkvist. The Audi driver and navigator duo of Mattias Ekstr?m and Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger, and Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz will be welcomed into the new cockpit.

Let's look forward to the Audi RS Q e-tron E2 breaking new ground in the Dakar Rally in the middle of the year.

The interview is transcribed below, with the following interviewees: Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH; Benedikt Brunninger, Technical Manager of Audi Sport's Dakar Rally program; and Stéphane Peterhansel, Audi Sport Team driver and record holder for Dakar Rally victories:

Q1: I was surprised to see that the new car has changed a lot on the whole this time. In fact, observing last year's race, as long as we make some slight adjustments to the suspension, reliability and other aspects of the original car, and add some more days to the time, we will be one step closer to the championship. And next year's season will also be favorable to us in terms of the increase in vehicle weight requirements. Against this background, what were Audi's considerations in making such a major upgrade to the car's structure, aerodynamics, suspension, etc.? And at what point in time was this decision made?

Rolf Michl: Audi has always looked to the future and done enough forward-looking work. This is a very sophisticated and complex model and one that we developed in record time. We have gained valuable experience through our first season in 2022, and there is still a lot of room for improvement and a lot of details to be dug into in order to achieve all-round improvement. One of the top priorities of this new car improvement work is weight reduction, and we have made significant changes to the bodywork to make it look more like a race car, which brings another advantage in the form of a lower center of gravity and enhanced aerodynamics. On the other hand, we also hope to present Audi's loyal customers and fans with an upgraded race car that continues to break new ground and packs a big punch, meeting the expectations of racing enthusiasts for the brand.

Q2: The first-generation Audi RS Q e-tron aerodynamics were not particularly emphasized, but they are on the RS Q e-tron E2, why is that? Is it because better aerodynamics is the key to winning races?

Rolf Michl: Certainly, from our long term experiments and research, good aerodynamic performance is a key indicator that represents excellent car performance. Audi has a wealth of expertise in the field of aerodynamics, and they have supported the development of the Dakar rally car. the E2 applies a lot of experimental concepts to its overall form, and can be described as a Dakar version of the Le Mans Prototype Racing (LMP) car.

Benedikt Brunninger: Superior aerodynamics not only means low wind resistance, which has been reduced by around 15 percent in the new E2 this time around, but more importantly brings about an overall increase in efficiency, which is key to winning races in the future. And it's not just for racing cars that improved efficiency is vital, it's equally true for production cars.

Q3: With the introduction of the AB Road Book rule this year, will it be more of an advantage for an experienced Mr. Dakar like yourself?

Stéphane Peterhansel: At the moment the race organizers are not revealing any more information about this new rule, so frankly I'm not quite sure how to deal with it as a rider, and that's a challenge for my partner Edouard Boulanger. But my understanding is that the organizers want to add a certain amount of interest and variation to this race to give the participants a new challenge.

Q4: What is the most essential difference between driving an electric car and a traditional fuel car? Will electric cars become mainstream in the Dakar in the future?

Stéphane Peterhansel: The experience of driving an Audi electric car is better than I expected at the beginning. Audi's innovative electric drive system makes driving very interesting, with all the power on tap, and it's easy to maneuver, just focusing on steering, throttle, and speed. Our first overall class win at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has proven its strength. Electric racing is a new era and has brought me a new experience of awesomeness. As to whether electric cars will become the mainstream of Dakar, I am willing to explore with Audi.