New details from Audi on its arrival at the Dakar

Audi's arrival at the Dakar is becoming clearer. Confirmed last November, this will take place in 2022 with a hybrid prototype currently in design and “ almost finished ».

« At Audi we remain true to our philosophy of using new technologies in motorsport for the first time that are revolutionary for future production cars ", explains Julius Seebach, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for sports activities.

This hybrid prototype signed Audi features the electric unit (MGU) also used by the brand in Formula E and developed from scratch for the 2021 season. In total, three electric motors will be fitted to the car. “ One on the front axle and another on the rear. The third will be used to recharge the battery while driving » emphasizes project manager Andreas Roos.

The entire electric unit will be coupled to a four-cylinder TFSI thermal engine used until now in DTM. A motor " incredibly effective » according to Roos and « at the forefront of technology in terms of weight and consumption ».

The first prototype is currently under construction at Audi Sport in Neuburg an der Donau (Germany). Its launch is scheduled for the end of June, followed by the official presentation in July. An intense testing phase is then planned before Audi's very first Dakar in January 2022.