Audi showed the second version of the racing prototype RS Q e-tron. He will compete in the Morocco Rally and the next Dakar. The hybrid SUV received a new body, improved aerodynamics and revised electrical systems. The power plant is the same - with three electric motors from a Formula E car and a gasoline engine borrowed from the RS5 coupe for the German DTM touring car championship.

Audi unveiled the RS Q e-tron prototype last year. In the spring of 2022 in Abu Dhabi, he won his first desert race, and now his improved version, the RS Q e-tron E2 (an unambiguous reference to the Group B Audi Sport quattro E2), is ready to start the Rally Morocco and the next Dakar. In truth, there are no major technical changes here. But on the other hand, the car has become lighter and additionally optimized in terms of aerodynamics.

The “second” RS Q e-tron has no external parts common with its predecessor. The shape of the hood, fenders (especially the rear ones, which no longer go into the doors) and the “canopy” of the cab have been changed. At the same time, the structure of the woven layers of the composite from which the body is made has been optimized. All together allowed to reduce the weight of the SUV by several tens of kilograms and reduce air resistance by 15 percent.

Further refinement of the prototype included fine-tuning of the power controllers and a revision of the auxiliary consumer control strategy. On the “first” RS Q e-tron, the refrigerant in the air conditioning system froze, so now it does not work constantly, but turns on at regular intervals. The power of the servo pump and fans varies depending on whether the machine is driving on the "liaison" (road section) or the high-speed section.

Inside the RS Q e-tron E2, the layout of buttons and screens has changed. Plus, it became possible to use the rotary switch to select grouped sets of functions and indicators. For example, during the race, the driver sees the speed allowed on the special stage and can activate pneumatic jacks, and the mechanics at the bivouac have access to the temperature readings of all on-board systems.

The powerplant of the RS Q e-tron still consists of two MGU motor generators from the Audi e-tron FE07 Formula E car and an "energy converter". The latter includes another MGU and a modified 2.0 TFSI four from a racing RS5 Turbo DTM with 272 horsepower. The internal combustion engine operates in the range of 4500-6000 rpm, consuming less than 200 grams of gasoline per kilowatt-hour, and feeds a 52-kilowatt battery.

Each traction MGU drives the wheels through a single stage racing gearbox and limited slip differential. The virtual center differential is implemented using the control software of the electric motors. On gravel, the RS Q e-tron E2 hits 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the T1U category prototype is strictly regulated - 170 kilometers per hour.