Despite an extensive history of rally racing, it wasn’t until last year that Audi set its sights on the infamous Dakar Rally, where the Ingolstadt outfit managed to secure over a dozen podiums and an impressive four stage wins over the course of the two-week rally raid event. This renewed interest in the off-road segment has also more recently prompted the German automaker to delve further into the go-anywhere space, this time with the debut of an ultra-high-end fully-electric mountain bike.
Boasting enduro-specific geometry, the entire Audi electric mountain bike is constructed around an advanced frame that’s composed of a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. For the bike’s suspension, Audi called on Swedish specialist Öhlins, which has provided a two chamber system-equipped RXF D-38 fork and a T205 X 65 rear shock — both of which were custom-tuned for this E-MTB and afford 7.0” of travel. Taking inspiration from the Audi RS Q e-tron E2, the bike has also been fitted with brakes consist of a motorcycle racing-derived IN.CA.S system that features a 220mm disc up front and a 200mm item out back. Sporting Audi badging, the electric mountain bike also wears the same RR22 livery as Audi’s all-electric RS Q e-tron E2 Dakar racer.
Supplementing the bike’s pedals is a 250-watt Brose Drive S Mag motor in a magnesium housing that generates a whopping 66.4ft-lbs of torque and allows for a15.5-mph top speed than can be achieved solely through using the throttle. Equipped with four ride modes — ECO, TOUR, SPORT, and BOOST — the motor powering the bike draws from a 36-volt, 720-Wh Lithium-ion battery that was developed by Fantic, an Italian bicycle and motorcycle company that just happens to produce some of our favorite dual-sport and scrambler bikes. Other highlights on the Audi electric mountain bike include a full-color display, all-internally-routed cables, an SRAM GX-AXS E-click shifter, an SRAM GX Eagle 12V single-click derailleur, and a Cavo seatpost on an adjustable saddle system that can have its height lowered or raised via controls on the handlebars, allowing the rider to effortlessly transition between uphill and downhill cycling without having to stop to adjust the seat.
Available for order now in small, medium, and large frame sizes, the Audi Electric Mountain Bike Powered By Fantic has been priced at €8,900 (~ $9,500)
