Audi has constructed a extra rugged model of its 2024 Q8 E-Tron electrical SUV to spotlight its efforts within the Dakar Rally, the place it competes with the bespoke RS Q E-Tron collection plug-in hybrid.

The rugged Q8 E-Tron is named the Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar, and at current it has solely been confirmed for Germany the place it goes on sale shortly with a price ticket that can begin near 120,000 euros (roughly $131,000). Consumers will have the ability to select between the colours Siam Beige metallic, Mythos Black metallic, and Magnetic Grey.

Although it gives accessible decals that create a livery impressed by the RS Q E-Tron, the Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar is not merely a styling train. There are real off-road upgrades like an additional 1.2 inches of floor clearance, leading to a complete 8.1 inches. The car can be fitted with Common Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires (consumers may even obtain a set of normal summer time tires), and Audi mentioned it revised the suspension system to go well with off-road circumstances.

With the modifications, the Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar boasts strategy and departure angles of 20 levels and 26 levels, respectively. Its breakover angle is nineteen levels and its wading depth is 11.8 inches.

2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar

There’s additionally an ordinary roof rack with a load capability of 88 kilos.

The Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar is predicated on the Q8 E-Tron’s 55 E-Tron grade. This implies it encompasses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain that delivers a most 402 hp, or sufficient for 0-62 mph acceleration in 5.8 seconds with summer time tires and 5.9 seconds with the all-terrain tires. The highest velocity is capped at 124 mph. The battery is a 114-kwh unit that for the common Q8 E-Tron delivers an EPA-rated 285 miles of vary. An EPA-rated determine for the Q8 E-Tron Version Dakar hasn’t been revealed, although would seemingly are available decrease because of the lowered effectivity of the tires.

2024 Audi RS Q E-Tron rally automobile

The RS Q E-Tron that later this month will tackle the gruelling Dakar Rally for the third time is a really totally different beast to the Q8 E-Tron. As a collection plug-in hybrid, it encompasses a small combustion engine to cost a battery that powers an electrical drive system, on this case a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering a peak of 383 hp.

This yr’s Dakar Rally runs Jan. 5-19 in Saudi Arabia.