Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar - Interview Carlos Sainz, Audi Factory Driver
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00:00 What are the advantages of off-road driving?
00:02 Well, first of all, obviously, I need to divide between off-road pleasure and off-road competition.
00:09 But now we are talking about off-road, just normal driving.
00:13 And of course, I think it gives you the same pleasure than when you are competing.
00:17 You have instant power, you don't need to wait for the power, you have very good response from the engine, very good torque.
00:24 Most important in off-road, I would say, or one of the most important things is the modulation of the power.
00:32 It's much easier to control with electrical power than with a thermal engine.
00:35 So all that put together makes a good fun, but also easier to drive.
00:42 What are the advantages of off-road driving?
00:45 Yeah, first of all, we need to think that we are driving a road car.
00:49 We are not driving a competition, so the most important thing is that you need to like the car, and I like it.
00:55 And then you need to get pleasure when you drive it, and the car has to answer to all the conditions you are facing.
01:05 The fact that this car has been prepared for an off-road, you can feel it straight away when you are driving.
01:13 Because of the comfort, because of the drivability, the tyres are also giving you comfort and more performance in any kind of off-road conditions.
01:24 So there is no minus, always a plus.
01:27 What is the advantage of off-road tyres?
01:30 At the end of the day, the tyre is a very important part of a car.
01:35 And if you are going to be more time off-road, I think you need to have these special tyres because of the comfort again.
01:44 The sidewall is bigger, so you get some comfort from the sidewall.
01:50 And most important at the end is you are getting more grip under any conditions, mud, gravel, normal gravel, of course also in the snow.
02:02 I have seen many, many good cars with the wrong tyres and you can go nowhere.
02:10 So tyres are a very, very important point and I think this is a good combination.
02:15 Of course, you can drive also on the road, so it's a good combination.
02:19 What is the difference between an Audi and a limited edition?
02:22 Well, first of all, it's an Audi.
02:25 Secondly, it is exclusive.
02:28 It is a limited edition and everything which is exclusive and limited edition is special and I like special cars.
02:35 So I will not mind to get one.
02:37 And I used to drive quite a lot off-road in Spain, going hunting and going to my forest.
02:46 I think it's a good combination, a mixture combination and a very exclusive car and a very nice looking car.
02:54 What are your goals for the next season?
02:58 The goals can only be one, try to win.
03:00 It's going to be our third year there.
03:03 When I look backwards and I see the beginning of this project, even if it is still short, because three years in competition is not very long,
03:13 especially in the Dakar and especially with such a different car, especially with such a difficult technology,
03:20 I think it's not a lot of time, but we are obviously much more prepared.
03:24 We are, the whole team, thinking that we are going to be able to fight for victories.
03:31 We were quick the two previous years.
03:34 We were missing something.
03:35 Obviously, we are hoping that this year we are much better prepared and we will see in a few months.
03:42 What is your advice to the future?
03:46 If I answer what I'm going to answer, people may think it's because I'm an Audi driver.
03:52 When I was a child, Audi came with the Quattro and I think that was a very special moment for all the rally fans.
04:00 I have been two times world rally champions after that period.
04:04 I have always missed Audi in the competition, in the rally competition.
04:10 Audi decided to go back now in the Dakar. I was lucky to be part of this special challenge.
04:16 The DNA of Audi is so strong in competition, so strong in technology,
04:24 that I can only say I'm very proud to be part of this project and to be part of the Audi family.