FIRST DRIVE: Audi RS Q e-tron - Electric Dakar Car Tested On and Off-Road | Top Gear

This is the Audi RS Q e-tron - the most interesting racing car of 2022. Back in January, it competed in its first-ever race – the biggest, most grueling, most hostile event on the planet: the Dakar rally. It was the first electrically-powered car to do so, and it was instantly on the pace, the three cars recording four stage wins between them. It uses an electric motor from a Formula E car on each axle, drawing power from a 50kWh battery pack underneath the seats. We know what you’re thinking - 50kWh is pretty average by today’s EV standards, especially considering this had to cover 8000kms of Saudi Arabian desert. Good thing it carries its own charger, in the form of a turbocharged DTM engine from an old RS5. Since Dakar cars are road-legal, we sent Top Gear Magazine’s Ollie Marriage to find out what the wide racer is like to drive around town, before testing it in a slightly more suitable off-road location. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:37 Q A with Carlos Sainz Sr. 3:17 Road Driving 6:03 Off-Road driving 9:00 Highlights Features 10:24 Party Trick 10:52 Outro Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR: Want to watch a bit of Top Gear on the internet? Welcome to the most comprehensive collection of official clips you’ll find on YouTube. Whether you’re searching for a caravan challenge, Ken Block in the Hoonicorn, cars versus fighter jets, Stig power laps or the latest Chris Harris Drives, you can find all the iconic films here. Want to share your views with the team? Join our BBC Studios Voice: This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios. Service & Feedback