Audi: Dakar Rally and Le Mans instead of Formula E

For the first time, the alternative drive concept combines an electric powertrain with a high-voltage battery and a highly efficient energy converter.

Perfect test stage
According to Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management and Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development and Model Series at Audi AG, a diverse commitment to motorsport is and will remain an integral part of Audi's strategy.

Markus Duesmann: "We want to continue to demonstrate the brand promise of 'Vorsprung durch Technik' in top international motorsport and develop innovative technologies for use in series production. The toughest rally in the world is the perfect stage for this."

Pioneer with Quattro
Audi is thus returning to rallying after many international successes in a wide variety of categories, with which the brand's success story in motorsport began. From 1981, the Audi quattro revolutionized rallying.

To this day, permanent all-wheel drive is not only standard in rally vehicles. It guarantees maximum safety even in the sportiest Audi production models, and in the e-tron models now also electrically.

Alternative drive concept
With the use of an alternative drive concept at the Dakar Rally Audi will soon face the most extreme conditions. The vehicle will be powered by a high-performance electric drivetrain.

The energy required for this comes from a high-voltage battery, which can be charged as needed while driving via an energy converter in the form of a highly efficient TFSI engine.

The aim is to permanently improve the performance of the electric drive and the battery in the coming years. The know-how gained in the process will then be incorporated into the further development of future series models.

Experience with hybrid and electric
Audi is the first automobile manufacturer to commit to the development of a prototype with an alternative drive concept capable of winning the Dakar Rally and is thus once again a pioneer in motorsport. In 2012, Audi achieved the first victory of a hybrid race car at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Three times in succession, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro remained unbeaten in the world's most important endurance race.

Audi has also been successful in all-electric motorsport with Formula E since 2014. First in a supporting role for the team around its long-standing partner ABT Sportsline and from 2017 with a full factory commitment.

The Dakar Rally replaces Audi's factory involvement in Formula E, which will no longer be continued in the form of a dedicated team after the 2021 season. The use of the newly developed Audi powertrain by customer teams will remain possible beyond next year.

Customer sport and return to sports prototypes
The second major pillar of Audi AG's motorsport program remains customer racing. Audi Sport customer racing offers its customers a comprehensive model portfolio as well as intensive service for worldwide racing.

In addition, as in the past, the program includes starts with the Audi R8 LMS at major endurance races like the Nürburgring 24 Hours and in international racing series like the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

Audi is also evaluating other possible areas of activity in international motorsport. For example, preparations are being made to enter the new LMDh sports car category with its highlight races, the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans.

Personnel change at the top
From December 1, 2020, Julius Seebach will also assume responsibility for the company's motorsport activities in addition to his role as Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.

Dieter Gass, who has held executive positions at Audi Sport for almost ten years and was jointly responsible for sporting success as Head of Audi Motorsport from 2017 to 2020, will devote himself to new tasks in the future following the successful conclusion of the factory DTM commitment.

Julius Seebach: "The most important message for our fans is that motorsport will continue to play a significant role at Audi."

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