The next design iteration of the RS Q e-tron is called E2 and is designed for participation in all kinds of rally raids, but especially the Rally Dakar. To that end, it features an improved electric powertrain, revised bodywork and a new dash UI. The first race will take place next month.
The exterior is styled in the same vein as the RS Q e-tron, but the bodywork is actually all new, without a single repeating part. The engineers got rid of some of the fender parts and expanded the driver’s cockpit to reduce weight, optimize aerodynamic performance and lower the center of gravity.
As a result, the new car has 15 percent less drag. The top speed is still regulation-capped at 170 km/h (105 miles per hour), but power consumption went down considerably. As well, replacing the wheels is now much easier than on the original model.
Elsewhere, the RS Q e-tron benefits from recalibrated controllers and optimized power consumption among its electronic assist systems. The air conditioner no longer runs all the time, instead activating itself from time to time in order to keep the temperature consistent. More interestingly, HVAC settings now even take the current drive mode into account, further helping save power in some scenarios. The user interface groups the settings into four categories for easy access.
As we said above, Audi’s electric rally racer will first participate in Rallye du Maroc in October. In January next year, it will enter the Dakar trail piloted by Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz.
