Strolling in Montmartre in the Audi RS Q e-tron

From deserts to metropolises, Audi is offering its Dakar prototype a tour through major European cities.

After the highly acclaimed tour in Hamburg a year ago, Audi curated a meticulously planned program with the capitals of the three countries of origin of the Audi factory drivers. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz drove through Madrid, Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger were on the road in Paris, and Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist piloted the innovative low-emission prototype across Stockholm. A real surprise for many passersby who certainly didn’t expect to come across such a machine!

Audi Rimes with Paris

From the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Cœur, the Audi RS Q e-tron was able to spectacularly demonstrate the power supplied by its electric propulsion unit of 263 kW (358 hp) during skillfully executed drifts by “Mr. Dakar”, Stéphane Peterhansel. The Frenchman holds the absolute record for Dakar Rally wins with 14 victories, 6 in the motorcycle category with Yamaha (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1998), and 8 in cars, with Mitsubishi (2004, 2005, 2007), Mini (2012, 2013, 2021), Peugeot (2016, 2017).

Conquering Dakar in Electric

Audi has been a pioneer in electrification within motorsport since 2012. The brand developed the Audi RS Q e-tron with electric drive and energy converter to compete in desert motorsport with a low-emission model. The energy converter consists of an internal combustion engine and a generator that supplies power to the electric unit. Since this season, Audi uses a sustainable fuel that allows more than 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Last year, Audi Sport’s team secured the overall victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. In two Dakar Rally editions so far, the Audi RS Q e-tron has also achieved six stage wins and a total of 28 podium finishes in daily rankings.

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