Audi hosted a city tour in major European cities like Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm, showcasing the ‘RS Q e-tron,’ which competes in the Dakar Rally. After receiving positive feedback from the city tour in Hamburg, Germany, a year ago, this time they ventured through the capitals of Spain, France, and Sweden. Audi’s factory team drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, showcased the vehicle on the streets of Madrid, while Stéphane Peterhansel and Édouard Boulanger did the same in Paris. Matthias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist displayed the innovative RS Q e-tron, which reduces carbon emissions, in Stockholm.
The Audi factory team presented the RS Q e-tron prototype’s driving capabilities at some of the most beautiful landmarks in the three cities. The driving routes included various famous sites such as the Royal Palaces in Spain and Sweden, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris. At some locations, audiences were captivated by drift demonstrations that showcased the RS Q e-tron’s power of 263 kW (358 horsepower).
The drivers from Audi’s factory team engaged with the audience, signing autographs and sharing enjoyable moments. Rolf Michel, head of Audi Motorsport, stated that this tour across three countries was a kind of exclamation mark event. Additionally, he noted that unlike rally events starting on race circuits or in Dakar’s desert, this tour was an opportunity to showcase Audi’s innovative technology to many people while passing through major cities. The RS Q e-tron carries a popular message of inspiration for many.
Audi has been a pioneering brand in electrification within motorsport since 2012. The RS Q e-tron was developed to prove that environmentally friendly vehicles can succeed in rallies held in deserts through its electric drive system and energy converter.
The energy converter consists of an internal combustion engine and a generator, and starting this season, Audi has been using sustainable fuels that reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 60%.
Meanwhile, last year, the Audi Sport team secured overall victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Additionally, they have recorded six stage victories in two Dakar Rallies to date and have placed within the top three a total of 28 times throughout the events.
Audi will release videos and photos of the RS Q e-tron city tour through its official channels. On September 20, footage and images of the Madrid tour will be unveiled through Audi Sport’s media channel and www.audimedia.tv, followed by the Paris and Stockholm tour videos scheduled for release on September 27 and October 4, respectively.
Written by Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr