From Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, 2016, the countries of Argentina and Bolivia will see one of the world’s greatest rally races take place, and Peugeot has released the two-wheel drive beast that will be carrying their name to the finish line.
The Peugeot 2008 DKR16 has been designed to be the ultimate “go-anywhere” car, capable of taking on “sand dunes, river beds, and huge rocks,” as a Sept. 22 press release from the French manufacturer explains. Given the terrain that this car needs to cover, these abilities are absolutely crucial.
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The rally covered a distance of 5,600 miles in 2015, and the event’s website tells us the 2016 course will span the same distance through South America. To handle the back-to-back days of rough terrain, heat and a lot of driving, Peugeot modified the car used in the 2015 rally with the help of a few rally winners.
A 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo diesel engine has been restructured to create more power, while its carbon exterior has been smoothed to create better airflow. The suspension was redesigned, and magnesium one-piece wheels with lighter Michelin tires help reduce and redistribute weight.
Keep an eye out for news about this all-terrain machine as the 2016 Dakar Rally draws closer, and take a look at the photos of it in the gallery below.
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Gallery
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(Source: Peugeot)
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