The Audi RS Q e-tron is evolving once again. This rally prototype, equipped with an innovative electric powertrain, high-voltage batteries, and energy converters, is ready for its third participation in the Dakar Rally after making improvements in various areas.
Audi driver team members Matthias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger, and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz are set to compete in the 2024 rally with a more advanced vehicle. Through several new ideas, the RS Q e-tron has become safer, more comfortable, lighter, and has reduced maintenance and repair time.
In January 2024, Audi will participate for the third time in the world’s toughest desert rally with a low-emission vehicle. Rolf Michel, head of Audi Motorsport, stated, “Our drivers and co-drivers have already demonstrated the fundamental potential of the RS Q e-tron with six stage wins and 22 podium finishes at the Dakar Rally since 2022. Now, what’s important is to present the most stable performance possible to compete for the top positions.” Audi Sport has analyzed past results, identified shortcomings, and established clear priorities for future improvements. Dr. Leonardo Pasquali, head of the new technology sector for the Dakar project, focused on five key areas with the development team from early summer.
Following the accidents experienced by Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz in 2023, Audi has paid particular attention to safety. Dr. Pasquali explained, “Our goal was to reduce the maximum vertical acceleration upon landing after a large jump.” The engineers modified the chassis’s springs, dampers, and bump stops to improve load distribution over time, optimizing the platform, a crucial element for the vehicle’s overall performance.
The second improvement concerns the seat foam. The seat foam helps distribute the driver and co-driver’s weight over time, reducing maximum load. The developers focused particularly on the stiffness of the materials and the geometric structure of the foam, while also considering how the cab’s temperature influences the foam’s stiffness. They also considered how to protect occupants in case of strong forward landings that could result in rollovers, like in Carlos Sainz’s second crash during the 2023 Dakar Rally. As a result, the CFRP crash box located at the front end of the chassis structure has been extended without compromising the all-important approach angle in cross-country rallying. Consequently, the energy from accidents is absorbed more effectively than before.
The Audi RS Q e-tron is a remarkably reliable vehicle even in extreme conditions. In its debut at the 2022 Dakar Rally, all three vehicles crossed the finish line, and in 2023, two of the three vehicles did not finish due to accidents rather than technical issues. With the complex drivetrain technology already perfected, Audi Sport is focusing more on the finer details of reliability.
Previously, debris would often penetrate between the rim, brake discs, and uprights, causing serious damage and requiring long wheel change times. However, with a new fastening system introduced for the uprights, the gaps are wider, allowing debris to break free more easily. Additionally, Audi Sport plans to use more robust rims in the future, and rigid sidewalls will further enhance the durability of the next-generation tires from control tire supplier BF Goodrich.
Audi relies heavily on its experienced, cooperative, and high-performing drivers and co-drivers. To ease their challenging workload, the engineers have optimized the sound insulation and sealing of the cockpit. The modified front hood effectively blocks swirling mud and water, keeping the windshield cleaner.
The engineers have reviewed various aspects to enhance the competitiveness of the Audi RS Q e-tron while adhering to regulations—from the chassis to software, and from the body to the electric drive system.
The improvements to shock absorbers and springs have considerably helped to enhance the basic structure. Furthermore, despite an increase in the weight of the new tires, efforts were made to optimize the weight of various components to come closer to the minimum vehicle weight of 2,100 kilograms. This includes the rear hood, smaller brake calipers, and even the co-driver’s footrest.
The maximum output of the electric motor, previously 263 kW (including efficiency factors), has changed to 271 kW during the Dakar Rally period due to regulatory changes and is set to increase to 286 kW in January 2024. Consequently, the Audi T1U model will have a better power-to-weight ratio compared to its competition in the T1 class, while the weight of competing T1 models will increase by 10 kg to 2,010 kg.
Audi Sport has also considered the daily maintenance tasks that occur during the rally. A significant number of steps have been simplified through a variety of practical ideas within specialized areas. For example, modified bolt connections, improved tool holders, optimized charging caps for operating fluids, new body fastening solutions, and bolt connections replacing adhesive connections all allow for quicker and simpler servicing.
Rolf Michel, head of Audi Motorsport, said, “It feels like we are completely prepared for the Dakar Rally.” He continued, “Our engineering team has advanced the RS Q e-tron with various creative solutions, and both the drivers and co-drivers, as well as mechanical engineers and engineers, benefit from such rich ideas.”
Audi began successfully integrating and testing improvements into the vehicles from mid-year for next year’s Dakar Rally. The 2024 Dakar Rally will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 5 to 19.
Jin Lee, daedusj@autodiary.kr