Audi to leave Formula E but to do the Dakar

In a surprise announcement, German automaker Audi said it planned to compete in the famous Dakar Rally in 2022 with an alternative-drive concept combining an electric drivetrain with a high-voltage battery and an energy converter.

The vehicle will still have a combustion engine but it would act as a range-extender, charging the battery pack as needed during the race. At the same time, Audi announced it would end its Formula E program after the 2021 season.

Audi explains that cross-country rallying would be spearheading the factory motorsport commitment in the future. Customer racing teams will be able to use Audi’s Formula E powertrain after 2021. The German manufacturer has run a factory Formula E effort since 2017.

It won the driver title that year and the team title in 2018.

Photo Audi