Audi has made history. For the first time ever, Audi triumphed at the grueling Dakar Rally with its low-emission prototype, the Audi RS Q e-tron, equipped with an electric powertrain, high-voltage battery, and energy converter. The Spanish team of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz finished the grueling 7,900 km race an impressive 1 hour and 20 minutes ahead of the competition, securing Audi’s first Dakar victory.
Audi’s CEO, Gernot Dollner, stated, “Audi has set another milestone in motorsport,” congratulating the Audi Sport team on their Dakar victory. He added, “Winning the world’s toughest desert rally with an electric powertrain is a testament to ‘progress through technology’ and signifies that we must continually strive toward an electrified future.” The Audi RS Q e-tron operates using a front-wheel-drive electric system, powered by a high-voltage battery and a reFuel energy converter that uses residual fuel, emitting about 60% less carbon dioxide compared to conventional fuels.
In this Dakar Rally, Audi faced tough competition from experienced rivals.
Oliver Hoffman, Audi AG’s development director, commented, “Through our innovative electric drive technology, we overcame one of the biggest challenges in motorsport in just three years.” He expressed gratitude to all Audi team members who excelled in this difficult Dakar Rally, stating, “We continue Audi’s pioneering achievements, which have always stood out in our 40-year motorsport history.”
Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz consistently led from the sixth stage, where they built a significant gap. The two Spanish drivers, who have previously won the rally in 2010, 2018, and 2020, have now achieved individual victories with different brands for the fourth time each, marking their second victory under the Volkswagen Group.
However, two-time World Rally Championship winner Sainz and his experienced co-driver Cruz were uncertain about the results until the very end. They were being closely pursued by the BRX team’s Sébastien Loeb and Fabien Lurquin, who had experienced vehicle damage just before the race concluded. Rolf Michel, head of Audi Motorsport, said, “I sincerely thank all team members whose efforts led to this historic outcome, as today we have opened a new chapter in Dakar Rally history, not just for Audi, but for all of motorsport.”
The 2024 Dakar Rally features a total course of 7,883 km, characterized by regular stages mostly over 400 km, two marathon stages without service, and a section measuring the driving time of 4,600 km. Furthermore, the teams faced challenges such as steep inclines, rocky roads, and the daunting sand dunes of the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula, requiring everyone to give their utmost effort. Sixty-one-year-old Carlos Sainz, with a rally career spanning over 40 years, led during a total of 12 stages over 8 days alongside Lucas Cruz.
Audi’s other two teams also performed exceptionally well. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist won the prologue stage, finishing the first stage ahead of Sainz/Cruz but had to retire after the seventh stage due to axle issues. Stéphane Peterhansel, who holds a record 14 Dakar wins, achieved his 83rd career stage victory and 50th in the car category, finishing sixth before mid-race, despite his French co-driver Édouard Boulanger’s team falling to 22nd in the sixth stage due to hydraulic issues.
Audi Sport has continuously improved the efficiency of the Audi RS Q e-tron, achieving this remarkable victory in just three years. Under the technological direction of Dr. Leonardo Pasquali, they have set yet another historical milestone with their innovative electric drive system.
Since the 1980s, when Audi revolutionized rallying with its quattro all-wheel-drive, they have secured numerous victories and titles on circuits, proving their prowess at Le Mans. Particularly, technologies like the efficient TFSI powertrain, electrified e-tron quattro front-wheel drive, LED matrix lights, and Audi laser lights symbolize this high level of innovation and ‘progress through technology.’ Audi’s first fully electric racing car made its debut in Formula E, and subsequently, Audi became the first brand to successfully complete the Dakar Rally with an electric powertrain.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr