• Audi’s versatile electric motors for motorsport
• Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz meet Tom Kristensen at the “e-tron on track” event organized by Audi Sport in Neuburg, Germany.
• Five fascinating models that demonstrate rapid technical progress

They stand for efficiency and passion in equal measure: five high-performance Audi racing models embody the past, present and future of the electrification of motor racing. Indeed, the brand was one of the pioneers in 2012 when it began to electrify its racing engines. Thus the Audi R18 e-tron quattro from Le Mans, the Formula E e-tron FE07 single-seater, the RS Q e-tron prototype from the Dakar Rally, and the two concept cars e-tron Vision Gran Turismo and S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron met for the first time. Tom Kristensen, nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, met with the three current Audi drivers in the Dakar program to see the progress being made.

Electric, fast and full of emotion: the five models brought together for the first time at Audi Sport in Neuburg an der Danube will surprise even the most experienced racing drivers. After decades of professional experience and great victories, Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz were impressed by the development of electric motors. With Tom Kristensen nicknamed “Mr. Le Mans”, the racer who drove the ancestor of all e-tron models in motorsport during his career was present during the “e-tron on track”. Eleven years ago, Audi celebrated the first victory with a hybrid powertrain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the R18 e-tron quattro, as well as multiple titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). “After Audi demonstrated its pioneering spirit with the quattro in rallying in the 1980s, Le Mans became a premier technology laboratory,” explains Rolf Michl, Head of Audi Motorsport. “This is where the story of our alternative powertrains began, which continue to set new milestones today. We inspire millions of fans with them and show the whole world how electric powertrains are attractive and effective.”

Thanks to the R18 e-tron quattro, a hybrid sports car, Audi achieved three consecutive victories at Le Mans, from 2012 to 2014. In total, Audi has registered its name 13 times on the list of winners of the most important endurance race in the world . “The R18 was a very driver-oriented and very aggressive car. You always had good feedback right up to the limit,” recalls Tom Kristensen. “It was the most complex car I have ever driven. At the “e-tron on track” event, the LMP1 racing car came to life again. Of course, as a nine-time winner and therefore participant the most successful in the 100-year history of Le Mans, Tom Kristensen presented his old racing car to the most successful participant of the Dakar, Stéphane Peterhansel. “For me, as a Frenchman, a race as rich in history as the 24 Hours of Le Mans is something very special. Formula 1, Le Mans and the Dakar are monuments of motorsport. That’s why it was obvious that I would choose the R18 today,” said the fourteen-time Dakar winner. His driving in Neubourg was a wake-up call for the 58-year-old desert expert: ” An exceptional car. Everything is incredibly direct and precise. For me, of course, circuit racing is unfamiliar. But I had a lot of fun. And the concept shows that electric propulsion pays off: we clearly feel that hybrid propulsion accelerates the car even more.”

His teammate Carlos Sainz, two-time world rally champion and three-time Dakar winner, started in the most powerful car of the quintet. The brand developed the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo five years ago as a “racing shuttle” for guests of the FIA Formula E championship. “More than 800 hp and 100% electric propulsion. It was incredible,” marvels the 60-year-old Spaniard. “It’s a great car that also looks fantastic. Once you’ve had the chance to test drive such a powerful electric car, you just want to drive powertrains like this. needs of Formula E, the Audi e-tron FE07 was created for the 2020/21 season. This electric battery-powered racing car marked the next step in Audi’s motorsport strategy It could mobilize up to 340 hp depending on the mode of operation, as stipulated in the regulations.

Mattias Ekström, no stranger to powerful racing cars as a two-time DTM champion and former world rallycross champion, chose the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron for this “e-tron on track”. Ken Block, the late legendary driver, thrilled millions in the Electrikhana video with this spectacular prototype, which is visually reminiscent of the Audi Sport quattro S1 from the 1987 Pikes Peak mountain race. “I chose this car because that I’m a big fan of the quattro drivetrain,” said the 45-year-old Swede. “I already drove this car in Davos on snow and ice. And then I had to realize that the power is so extreme, even on asphalt, that I could have drifted the entire length of the circuit. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”

The series of electrically powered motorsport prototypes reaches its peak with the latest model: the Audi RS Q e-tron, the current racing car of Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz, is designed for the most demanding conditions. difficult as one can imagine. It is equipped with an electric transmission with energy converter and a high voltage battery. The concept has proven itself in desert rallies and meets extreme energy management requirements. It is with this prototype that Audi won the overall victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2022. In two participations in the Dakar to date, the brand has also won six stage victories with this vehicle and one total of 28 podiums in the daily ranking. This spectacular quintet of models has made some of the most legendary drivers dream for a day, just like Audi’s electric motors, which achieve high efficiency with maximum driving pleasure in everyday life.

Videos of the “e-tron on track” on audimedia.tv

October 30: “e-tron on track” teaser video

November 1: Introduction by Tom Kristensen

November 4: Stéphane Peterhansel at the wheel of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro

November 7: Carlos Sainz in the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo

November 10: Mattias Ekström in the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron

Audi R18 e-tron quattro (2012)

Audi has embarked on the path to electrification of motorsport with this diesel hybrid sports car. A 375 kW (510 hp) 3.7-liter V6 TDI mid-engine drives the rear wheels, while a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor is installed on the front axle.

Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo (2018)

Audi used the first real-life car derivative from a video game as a “racing shuttle” in Formula E. Two electric motors on the rear axle and one on the front axle produce a 100% electric power of 600 kW (815 hp).

Audi e-tron FE07 (2020/21)

In 2017, Audi was the first German manufacturer in Formula E. Depending on the driving mode, the fully electric racing car developed up to 250 kW (340 hp), which powered the rear axle, for the world championship in FIA Formula E 2020/21.

Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron (2022)

This all-electric prototype was created exclusively for Hoonigan Elektrikhana Stunts by legendary drift artist Ken Block. An electric motor on the front and rear axles achieves an output of 500 kW (680 hp).

Audi RS Q e-tron (2023)

The first rally raid prototype in the FIA’s low-emission T1U category features an innovative electric drive with energy converter and a high-voltage battery. The four-wheel electric drive is limited to 271 kW (369 hp).