UK Product Communications - Milton Keynes, September 20, 2021
Gavin Ward
Tel: 01908 601455 / 07776 316316
email:
[email protected]Johnny Burn
Tel: 01908 548612 / 07766 371723
email:
[email protected]For the latest Audi s visit: www.auk-kits.co.uk
Heat and sandstorms: Morocco test for the Audi RS Q e-tron
* Extreme conditions during two-week test in the desert
* First test in the dunes for the electric drivetrain
* Andreas Roos: "We still have a lot to do before the Dakar Rally"
Neuburg a. d. Donau, September 20, 2021 - On the way to its debut in the famous Dakar Rally in January 2022, Audi Sport has tested the Audi RS Q e-tron for almost two weeks in Morocco under the most extreme conditions.
After testing in Germany and Spain, the team headed for the desert and the dunes for the first time in the heat of Morocco. Once again, all three driver crews were involved. Dakar record winner Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström took turns at the wheel of the highly complex prototype.
Of course, their co-drivers Edouard Boulanger, Lucas Cruz and Emil Bergkvist were always with them. Driver and co-driver form an important unit in the Dakar Rally and they have to feel comfortable in the cockpit. "This was one of many topics we had on our to-do list after the test in Zaragoza," says Andreas Roos, responsible for factory motorsport projects at Audi Sport. "For the test in Morocco, we made modifications so that the driver and co-driver have more space in the tight cockpit and can also communicate better with each other. The feedback was positive."
Some of the conditions the test team encountered in Morocco were extreme. "The thermometer climbed to well over 40 degrees Celsius at times," says Sven Quandt, team principal of Q Motorsport. "Sandstorms also hampered the testing. In addition, as expected, some new problems arose in the high temperatures, which repeatedly caused interruptions to the testing and needed to be solved before the next test."
"We expect much lower temperatures at the Dakar Rally," says Andreas Roos. "Nevertheless, we deliberately went to Morocco to test our concept under the most extreme conditions. Components such as the MGU, for example, were basically not developed for use in such high ambient temperatures, but the drivetrain and other components were also pushed to their limits or even beyond by the heat. The insights we gained in Morocco are invaluable, but they also show us that we still have a lot to do before the Dakar Rally and there is not much time left."
The high-voltage battery, which was developed specifically for the Dakar Rally, is also a major topic. "It's all about optimum temperature management and being able to call up the battery's maximum performance," says Roos. "This is where we are learning with every test. And that's exactly why we are going to the desert with an electrified drivetrain: We are gaining an incredible amount of experience that we are sharing with our colleagues from road car development."
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Note to Editors
In 2020, a challenging year marked globally by restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Audi delivered a total of 1,692,773 models, a fall of 8.3 percent compared with the previous year. The contribution by Audi UK to this total remained significant at 107,892 cars. Audi is already making considerable headway with its range-wide electrification programme, which began with the world premiere of the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV in September 2018, and is now the biggest manufacturer of electric vehicles among the three German premium brands. Due for introduction during 2021 are the new e-tron S, e-tron S Sportback, Q4 e-tron and e-tron GT sports car variants. By 2025, Audi will offer more than 20 models with all-electric drive in the most important markets worldwide and achieve roughly 40 per cent of its sales with electrified variants. These will of course be underpinned by a range of models with classic layouts covering every relevant market segment from the compact class to the luxury class.
For further information please contact:
Johnny Burn Telephone: 01908 548612 / 07766 371723
Product Affairs Manager e-mail:
[email protected]Laura Margott Telephone: 01908 601688 / 07795 453704
Media Relations Manager e-mail:
[email protected]Kate Dixon Telephone: 01908 601629 / 07714 447653
Media Relations Manager e-mail:
[email protected]Jo Catchpole Telephone: 01908 601663 / 07795 410377
Media Relations Manager e-mail:
[email protected]Louise Vukomanovic Telephone: 01908 548921 / 07717 731021
Press Fleet and VIP e-mail:
[email protected]Relations Manager
Julie Greenberg Telephone: 01908 548706 / 07983 535159
VIP Relations Executive / e-mail:
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Vivienne Radfar Telephone: 01908 601980
PA to Head of Press and PR e-mail:
[email protected]Gavin Ward Telephone: 01908 601455 / 07776 316316
Head of Press and PR e-mail:
[email protected]3
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