Peugeot unleashes Dakar Rally weapon

Published Apr 15, 2014

Share

Paris - Less than a month after announcing its return to the Dakar Rally, Peugeot has unleashed the weapon that Carlos Sainz and Cyril Despres will use to tackle the world's toughest rally when the 2015 edition gets under way next January.

As the name suggests, the 2008 DKR racing machine 'represents' the regular 2008 Crossover, but we have to be clear that in order to compete in the Dakar it's had to evolve into a bigger and far more hard-core beast.

The DKR's design results from a close cooperation between experts at Peugeot's Style Centre and their colleagues at Peugeot Sports' design department.

Peugeot is remaining secretive about the technical details for now, but the company has admitted that after careful consideration, it has chosen to opt for a two-wheel drive layout rather than the more conventional 4WD transmission.

This, Peugeot says, allows the fitment of bigger wheels (the DKR runs on 37-inchers) and enables more suspension travel.

Sainz seems pleased enough with the new design: "Having done the last two Dakars in a two-wheel drive car, I am convinced it is a solution that can win the event.

"Okay, it calls for a carefully-designed car which is at ease on all the different types of terrain visited by the event, but I know that Peugeot Sport has the necessary expertise, technology and means to pull off what is a unique and stimulating challenge for everyone in the team," the Spaniard concluded.

Related Topics:

Peugeot