From DTM to Dakar: the story behind Audi's rally raider
The engine runs at a series of predefined consistent RPM figures to make it as efficient as possible. Whereas Dakar cars normally run with anywhere up to 600 litres in their fuel tanks to get to the end of some brutally long stages, the RS Q E-tron makes do with a tank half that size.
All of the above is housed within a tubular spaceframe chassis. You might expect that to feel a bit 1976, when Formula 1 has been using carbonfibre monocoques since 1981, but there are sound reasons. Being illegal under Dakar rules, a carbonfibre tub was ruled out, but there are also practical reasons for Audi doing what it’s done. A tub would be too stiff for Dakar and you need some give in the chassis so that the driver and co-driver don’t get pounded to mush over the harsh terrain.
The total size of the RS Q E-tron? 4500mm long, 1950mm high and 2300mm wide, with a 3080mm wheelbase for its wheel-at-each-corner stance. To give you an idea of perspective, that’s a little bit shorter than the BMW 3 Series but nearly 10cm taller and wider than the Range Rover. Not that the conditions have helped the relatively well-proven engine, either. The temperatures and humidity in Saudi Arabia vary wildly over the course of a day, and this, combined with the altitude changes the car will experience, made operating range a big challenge in the 8500 kilometres of testing that the team has done.Even with the might of Audi behind it, the team is realistic about its chances. “To finish is a victory,” says Quandt.
Not that he hasn’t experienced some issues: “Toilet logistics on a long day are... interesting. I’ve always been picky about this.” The Audi’s unique powertrain has helped him and co-driver Emil Bergkvist. “The big difference is that there’s no gearbox, so you can’t stall the engine,” he says. It helps in the sand, because you don’t bog down over the dunes as much.”It’s something that all the drivers have found helpful, to the point that they’re all bullish about their prospects in the dunes.
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