Audi RS Q e-tron conquers the 2024 Dakar Rally

For the first time, an electric-driven prototype has managed to conquer the grueling Dakar Rally.

Audi has claimed victory on the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally with the RS Q e-tron. WRC legend, 61-year-old Carlos Sainz Sr., and co-driver Lucas Cruz secured Audi’s first victory with the electric-powered prototype.

The Audi RS Q e-tron has an electric all-wheel drive. The energy supply is ensured by a high-voltage battery and a DTM-derived 2.0-liter turbo engine as an energy converter that runs on residual fuel-based reFuel, thus saving 60 percent of CO2 emissions compared to conventional fuels.

At the same time, Audi’s first triumph in Dakar also gives what could be the most proper send-off to the project, as the brand is set to focus its resources on its Formula One project with Sauber for 2026.

Sainz Sr., on the other hand, has made a historic feat of accomplishing four Dakar victories in four different manufacturers (Volkswagen, Peugeot, Mini, Audi). The WRC (and now Dakar legend) came out on top after a charging Sebastien Loeb dropped out of victory contention after damaging his Prodrive BRX prototype on the penultimate day.

This gave Sainz an unassailable lead going into the final day. In the end, Sainz won the 7,900 km-long rally with a margin of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 25 seconds over the Overdrive Toyota of Guillaume de Mevius. Loeb, on the other hand, ended up in third place overall.

“That was an overwhelming team performance. Everyone pulled together to make this historic result possible for Audi. A big thank you to this wonderful team. Today we have written a new chapter for Audi, but also in the history of the Dakar Rally,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl.