Back in its early days, the ice racing in Austria’s Zell am See attracted massive crowds from all over Europe as well as all manner of competitors and vehicles. But over time and for a host of reasons, the ice race fell into obscurity, and for nearly 50 years, the meet was abandoned. But then in 2019, this ‘celebration of motorsport on ice’ was been back with a vengeance and Audi has been right at the forefront of its resurrection and taken part with a collection of exotic machinery ever since.

Now the ice race has inspired a special concept from Audi, the RS e-tron GT ice race concept. This powerhouse vehicle represents the pinnacle of the brand’s electric powers, the first all-electric RS model reimagined with the ice and snow in mind.

Built to celebrate the ongoing collaboration between Audi and what has become an ‘ice driving festival’ in Zell am See, the silver and purple RS e-tron GT ice race concept features mainly cosmetic changes and for its drivetrain is content with the ‘standard’ RS e-tron GT drivetrain with 475kW and 830Nm output that sees it hit 100km/h from standstill in 3.3 seconds. This along with the electric quattro is more than up to the task of pulling German skiing champion Frank Wörndl along behind in what is called Skijöring – an integral part of the GP Ice Race event.

Numerous touches abound on the RS concept car in addition to the ‘technological’ livery applied to the body. There is the special wheel treatment which extends to the tyre sidewalls and the purple stitching in the otherwise all white interior. The windows too have been treated with a special foil which changes colour between green and purple depending on the way the light hits it.

Although reasonably subtle, the effect of the changes have a profound effect not only on the RS e-tron GT, but also on a pristine 1983 Audi Sport quattro, which for this special occasion wears the same futuristic styling package – the Audi Sport classic looking nothing even close to its 40 years.

This too is a special nod to the ice race, with Audi Tradition having brought several classic’s from the brand’s past for the event, as well as other more ‘left field’ vehicles. These have included everything from the FE04 and FE06 Formula E racers and an RS 5 DTM race car, as well as the RS Q e-tron fresh from its first Dakar outing.