Audi is preparing to enter a new chapter with a rugged 4x4 electric SUV inspired by its groundbreaking success in the Dakar Rally. While the model has not officially launched, spy shots and reports reveal the vehicle will build on the Dakar winning tech found in the RS Q e-tron rally car. This means serious offroad chops paired with electrification, giving the new SUV a unique edge in the competitive luxury electric segment.
Based on the Q6 e-tron platform, the upcoming model is expected to feature a lifted ride height, widened track, and offroad-specific tires like the Toyo Open Country M/Ts seen during testing. The bodywork takes cues from Audi’s Q8 e-tron edition Dakar, with restyled bumpers, tow hooks, and roof racks, all aimed at enhancing approach angles and all-terrain capability.
Audi’s involvement in the Dakar Rally, culminating in their 2024 overall win with the hybrid RS Q e-tron, gives this new SUV serious heritage. The powertrain and chassis tech honed in one of the harshest racing environments on Earth can now be adapted for a road-legal, adventure-ready electric vehicle.
While Audi has not released full specs, the base Q6 e-tron offers 456 horsepower and a 106 kWh battery, while a more powerful SQ6 variant can reach 510 horsepower. The offroad model may refine those figures to balance efficiency with rugged performance.
The new 4x4 aims to compete against legendary offroaders such as the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Wagen, blending luxury, electric innovation, and offroad toughness like never before in Audi’s lineup. Expected in production by 2027, this SUV will extend Audi’s electric portfolio with authentic all-terrain capabilities shaped by its Dakar adventure.
Audi’s next 4x4 is a bold statement that electrification and extreme offroading are not mutually exclusive but an unbeatable partnership rooted in motorsport excellence and forward-thinking design.
