Electric Tornadoes: Audi's Shock to the Three European Capitals
Back in the day, Audi gave us the thrum of gasoline engines. Today? They're all in on the silent hum of electric torque. And I must admit, while I've grumbled about the lack of that brassy vroom, the tech does put a smile on this crusty old face. Sometimes.
So, this “Audi RS Q e-tron” has been causing quite the ruckus - not that you'd hear it, since it's an EV. After leaving skid marks in the deserts, they've come to the boulevards. Specifically, the picturesque cities of Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm. By the way, that’s 358 horsepower for you folks. But in a silent electric way. Like a mime with the strength of ten men.
Now, imagine this: Driving past Madrid's royal palaces, Eiffel Tower in Paris, and Stockholm's glorious landmarks. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? But this isn’t just any car. This electric juggernaut performed drifts with the grace of an Olympic figure skater and the power of, well, a 358 hp electric engine. Passers-by stopped, stared, snapped photos, and probably wondered, “Is that really electric?” To which I'd respond: “Yes, and it doesn’t even come with an old-school cassette player!”
Carlos Sainz in Madrid, Stéphane Peterhansel in Paris, and Mattias Ekström in Stockholm – all behind the wheel. But, the real highlight? The joy on the faces of bystanders and the slight confusion when they didn't hear the engine roar.
"We've put an exclamation mark on the three city tours," says Rolf Michl, Audi Motorsport's chief, and I reckon he's not wrong. A quiet, electric exclamation mark that you can only see and not hear.
This isn't Audi's first electric rodeo, though. They've been at it since 2012. I remember back when electric cars were these quirky little things people laughed at. Who's laughing now? Probably still me, but for entirely different reasons.
But, I digress. The RS Q e-tron isn’t just a pretty electric face; it comes with an energy converter consisting of an internal combustion engine and a generator. Did you know they're using a sustainable fuel that slashes CO2 emissions by over 60%? It's like they're trying to make amends for all the petrolhead fun from the past.
Mark your calendars! This Wednesday, get ready to virtually drive through Madrid with Carlos, then Paris, and finish off in Stockholm. Each city’s joyride will be available on Audi Sport's social channels and audimedia.tv. Gosh, it's like an electric Euro-trip!
Audi’s given us an electric spectacle, and while I love a good petrol-fueled adventure, there's something hilariously enjoyable about a powerful EV taking on European capitals. Just remember to look both ways before crossing, because you won’t hear it coming!
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
