Audi has gained the grueling Dakar Rally with its bespoke RS Q E-Tron on its 3rd try.

The Spanish using duo of Carlos Sainz Sr. and Lucas Cruz secured Audi’s first-ever Dakar victory with a one-hour, 20-minute lead on the finish of the race’s 4,898 miles throughout Saudi Arabia.

It is the fourth Dakar win for the pair, following victories in 2010, 2018, and 2020. The 61-year-old Sainz Sr., father of Ferrari Method 1 motive force Carlos Sainz Jr., additionally has two Global Rally Championships below his belt.

Sainz Sr. and Cruz had dominating tempo during the rally, main uninterrupted within the latter six of the race’s 12 levels. However at the Dakar Rally, difficult terrain and navigational demanding situations may also be as a lot of a danger as the contest.

Audi wins the 2024 Dakar Rally

Audi was once in rivalry for a one-two win, with a 2nd RS Q E-Tron pushed by means of Swedes Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist working 2nd after six levels. On the other hand, a rear-axle factor at the 7th level took the Swedes out of rivalry. They controlled to complete, however neatly outdoor the highest 10.

The RS Q E-Tron is a sequence plug-in hybrid, with gasoline engine used as a generator to price a battery pack that during flip runs an electrical all-wheel-drive powertrain handing over a height output of 383 hp. The gasoline engine additionally runs on artificial gas, which Audi claims reduces carbon dioxide emissions by means of 60% in comparison to standard fuels.

Audi first entered the RS Q E-Tron within the 2022 Dakar Rally, managing some level wins and single-day podium effects. The automaker returned for 2023 with an up to date model, however that effort was once marred by means of crashes. Additional updates have been made for the 3rd try on the Dakar this yr, geared toward losing a few pounds, shortening upkeep instances, and making improvements to protection, convenience, and reliability.

The Dakar Rally will get its title from its authentic course from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. Organizers moved the race to South The us in 2009 because of fears of competitor protection, after which to Saudi Arabia in 2020.