Ducati DesertX And Audi RS Q e-tron Take Centre Stage In Sardinia For A Special Event

Audi and Ducati came together for a special event in Sardinia that saw the DesertX and the RS Q e-tron taking centre stage. The special event was the international media ride of the Ducati DesertX, one of the more eagerly awaited motorcycles from the Italian manufacturer. The event saw 2022 Dakar stage winner Danilo Petrucci onboard the DesertX while official Audi drivers including Stephane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz showed the RS Q e-tron's capabilities. To celebrate the partnership, the Centro Stile Ducati created a special livery for the DesertX inspired by that of the Audi RS Q e-tron. Petrucci put on a show with Sainz and Cruz on a technical off-road track showing the prowess of both machines.

Also Read: Ducati DesertX Adventure Bike Unveiled

The Ducati DesertX received special livery inspired by the Audi RS Q e-tron

Andrea Ferraresi, Centro Stile Ducati Director, said, “When we saw the RS Q e-tron for the first time, we couldn't help but imagine it in action among the dunes and rocks together with the DesertX. This event gave us the opportunity to do so and so we decided to create an exclusive livery, inspired by the colours and graphics of the Audi prototype. Seeing cars and motorcycles together off-road is truly a great show. The collaboration between the two brands and between their respective Style Centres is strong and important".

The Ducati DesertX is a new middleweight enduro offering and the bike will make it way to the Indian market later this year. The bike has been designed for off-road excursions and comes equipped with a 21-inch front wheel, and an 18-inch rear wheel. It also gets long suspension travel and ample ground clearance. Power comes from the 937 cc Testastretta L-twin engine, while Ducati says the motorcycle gets comfortable ergonomics. The Ducati DesertX will also come with a host of electronics including six riding modes including two off-road specific ones - Enduro and Rally.

(L-R) 2022 Dakar stage winner Danilo Petrucci with Audi Official drivers Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel

Meanwhile, the Audi RS Q e-tron is the automaker's rally prototype to tackle the desert and embodies the purest efficiency. The electric drive with high voltage batteries and energy converter pushes the limits of what could be an electrified future of motorsport. The RS Q e-tron made its debut in the 2022 Dakar Rally and impressed with four stage victories. It also won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March this year. Do note Audi owns Ducati through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini with all of these companies part of the Volkswagen Group.