Peugeot’s Dakar race off-roader sticks with 2WD
French maker is aiming for its sixth win the new 3008 DKR.
Peugeot has revealed its new Dakar racer, the 3008 DKR.
After making a successful comeback to the sport nine months ago with Ste´phane Peterhansel’s win, the company is keen to follow up with another victory in 2017.
Peugeot had not contested the iconic race for 25 years before Peterhansel drove the 2008 DKR16 to his 12th win over the daunting Dakar terrain in January.
Peterhansel’s victory in the 2008 was the first 2WD SUV to take victory in 15 years, and Peugeot has stuck with the same configuration for the striking new 3008.
The company says the new model improves on its illustrious predecessor in four main areas with better reliability, suspension and air conditioning allied with greater torque at lower revs.
Team Peugeot Total director Bruno Famin says: ‘‘The 3008 symbolises the next step. There are also some new engine regulations for the event this year, which we obviously needed to comply with.’’
Peugeot Sport previously enjoyed Dakar success from 1987-90. The 2016 win was its fifth overall.
Whether it can reach six in 2017 will not only depend on the new car, but also whether the drivers can master the new, tricky route that takes in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Before the event, Carlos Sainz tested the new 3008 DKR in race mode against Despres and other Dakar competitors, at Morocco’s Rally Oilibya.