Carlos Sainz Makes History At The Dakar Rally With The Audi RS Q e-tron Victory
Audi has made history by winning the Dakar Rally with its low-emission prototype, the Audi RS Q e-tron, equipped with an electric drive, high-voltage battery, and energy converter. The Spanish duo Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz secured the victory after covering around 7,900 kilometers, marking Audi’s first triumph in the world’s toughest desert rally. The innovative Audi RS Q e-tron features electric all-wheel drive and a high-voltage battery powered by an energy converter running on residual fuel-based reFuel, reducing CO2 emissions by 60%.
Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, congratulated Team Audi Sport, highlighting the win as a milestone in motorsport and a glimpse into Audi’s electric future. The Dakar Rally victory comes after facing tough competition from Toyota, Ford, and Prodrive.
The 2024 Dakar Rally presented challenging conditions with daily stages exceeding 400 kilometers, marathon stages with limited service, and a total distance of 7,883 kilometers. Despite challenges faced by other Audi crews, the team’s strategic decisions and strong driver crews contributed to the historic victory.
Audi Sport’s success within three years of entering the Dakar Rally reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation. Under the technical direction of Dr. Leonardo Pascali, the Audi RS Q e-tron adds another chapter to Audi’s history of pioneering achievements, showcasing their innovative strength and commitment to “Vorsprung durch Technik” (Advancement through Technology).
Photo Credits: Audi MediaCenter