Audi puts new RS Q e-tron E2 through endurance test in Morocco

Only a few weeks after German automaker Audi unveiled its “significantly improved” RS Q e-tron E2 off-road racer prototype, the company has put the car through an “extensive test” in extreme conditions in Morocco.

The RS Q e-tron E2 is the next step in the evolution of the Audi RS Q e-tron revealed back in July 2021, which went on to score four stage victories at the 2022 Dakar rally in January.

Developed in collaboration with the team that will be driving the car at the upcoming Morocco Rally, the car recently completed an extensive test run in Morocco. The endurance test, over nine days in September, gave each driver/co-driver pairing three days to get to know the new car.

“Our plan was to have nine days of testing so that each driver/co-driver pairing could work with the test vehicle for three days,” said Arnau Niubó Bosch, project leader of track operations.

“There were two main objectives: to develop the second evolution for the Dakar Rally and to familiarize the driver teams with the new developments.

Weight reduction the key

“The weight reduction creates new opportunities for suspension set-up, which we want to exploit. We are moving in a good direction. The electric drive with all its systems is also working more smoothly than at the test a year ago.”

Audi’s six driver/co-driver pairs include Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger, and Carlos Sainz (snr)/Lucas Cruz.

In total, Audi Sport completed a total of 4,218 kilometres of testing in Morocco. Combined with previous European testing, the RS Q e-tron E2 has undergone a total of 6,424 kilometres of testing.

“At almost 40 degrees Celsius, the temperatures are extreme and push the car, but also the crews, to their limits,” said Uwe Breuling, head of vehicle operations at Audi Sport.

“Likewise, the test tracks are very brittle this year, which visibly puts an enormous strain on the technology. But there’s nothing that will stop the car, just minor damage that we need to repair.”

There is no rest for the drivers, though, with the RS Q e-tron E2 scheduled to contest the Morocco Rally in the southwest of the country. All three pairs of drivers will compete during the rally, being held from October 1 to 6, which is considered a prelude to the prestigious Dakar Rally.