Meet the re-newed Audi RS Q e-tron : lighter, more aerodynamic, and more improved than last year. Can it win the Dakar?

No longer rookies thanks to a year’s worth of Dakar experience and an Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge win under their belt, Audi Sport is more competitive and ready for this year’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

As soon as Audi got back from last year’s race (and quite a few showers later), the team started scratching their heads to make this year’s car (a ridiculously complex off-road buggy with an alternative drive concept that blends a Formula E’s electric drivetrain with a high-voltage battery and a highly efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from DTM to keep the battery topped-up) even faster.

‘Evolution not revolution’ was the mantra for the new car as the furiously complex drivetrain had no faults during its debut last year, proving that the car can finish the Dakar and be competitive. Even so, the whole car has been refined, made lighter and more aerodynamic.

As you can see, the body is completely new and features significantly enhanced aerodynamics. It helps lower the prototype’s weight and center of gravity. To improve efficiency, there are a flurry of new operating strategies that benefit this complex car. Meanwhile, a load of ergonomic changes in the interior allow the dream team of drivers (Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz) and their co-drivers to navigate, change wheels and generally make the whole racing thing easier.

The Audi Sport team is currently packing its bags and heading to the start line in a few weeks. Remember, the Dakar is a place where lap times are measured in weeks not minutes; an annual 6,000-mile off-road race and the ultimate test of how much a car and the human body can take.

How does Audi think it’ll fair? Well, check out the video above to get a measure of its confidence. But we’ll leave the last words to Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport at Audi.

“We wouldn’t be Audi Sport if we were there just to compete”

To keep up with Audi’s Dakar effort, head to TopGear.com’s dedicated race hub: [ Ссылка ]

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