Audi Revs Up Its Electric Beast for the 2024 Dakar Rally: A Closer Look at the Enhanced RS Q e-tron

Hold onto your hats, rally fans, because Audi's RS Q e-tron is back for the 2024 Dakar Rally, and it's packing a serious punch! It has shredded weight, becomes safer and has more power.

The engineers have tweaked the shock absorbers and springs for an even better setup, and weight optimization has brought the RS Q e-tron closer to the minimum limit. Even the co-driver's footrest has been slimmed down. But the biggest boost comes from the regulations themselves. The T1U class, where the RS Q e-tron competes, gets a power bump to 286 kW. 

New shock absorbers and springs mean that the new RS Q e-tron has an even better setup for tackling treacherous terrain than its predecessor.

 Audi has learnt from the accidents at the 2023 Dakar Rally and bolstered the safety. The chassis now boasts improved springs, dampers, and a bump stop to better distribute impact forces during jumps. Even the seats have been re-engineered with special foam to cushion drivers and co-drivers against peak loads. And for frontal collisions, the CFRP crash box at the front is now longer and sturdier, ready to absorb those desert bumps.

While the 2023 Dakar saw technical hiccups, they were no match for the RS Q e-tron's overall dependability. This time around,  Audi is focusing on the finer details. New fastening elements on the uprights prevent stones from getting lodged between the wheels and brakes, saving precious time and potential punctures. The rims are tougher too, and the tires, courtesy of BF Goodrich, sport stronger sidewalls for extra peace of mind.

"Our engineering team has poured their creativity into making the RS Q e-tron even better," says Rolf Michl, Head of  Audi Motorsport. "Drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, and engineers – everyone benefits from these innovative solutions. We're confident we're heading into the 2024 Dakar Rally in the best possible shape."

The  Audi driver crews of Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz will be starting the work starting from January 2024.