Peugeot Sport reveals 3008 DKR, prepared for 2017 Dakar Rally

Peugeot Sport reveals brand new Dakar Rally challenger today – the 3008 DKR. A new race car is based on brand new Peugeot SUV, to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month. Team Peugeot Total and Red Bull would enter the 2017 Dakar Rally with a new car, on a mission to defend Stephane Peterhansel’s 2016 victory.

The all-new 3008 DKR is a successor of 2008 DKR, which scored not only Peterhansel’s victory at 2016 Dakar Rally but also the first rally-raid win in car category for Peterhansel’s teammate Cyril Despres on the Silk Way Rally in July. The new Peugeot’s Dakar car remains loyal to two-wheel drive philosophy, same as the 2008 DKR, but all other components are improved.

The new Peugeot 3008 DKR is based on 3008 SUV

In terms of reliability, Peugeot Sport’s engineers went through every aspect of the car in fine detail in order to refine the package still further, focussing both on mechanical strength and also complex electronic processes, such as engine management. The Dakar is the toughest race in the world, taking in 10, 000 kilometres at high speeds and altitudes, which makes it the ultimate test of reliability for any machine.

The 3008 DKR are using the same 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel engine, which is now even more driveable than before, delivering greater torque at lower revs. The latest Dakar regulations have imposed a smaller restrictor on the engine (38mm as opposed to 39mm last year) with a net loss of around 20 horsepower, but this power is now accessible from further down the rev range, meaning that the car is easier to drive and potentially even faster.

The suspension is one of the key elements to success on the Dakar. Compared to 2008 DKR, the 3008 DKR has improved geometry and dampers. The test programme up to now, including 15-day long Silk Way Rally, proved that improvements are effective.

One of the improvements is air conditioning system. With crews spending up to 12 hours a day inside the cars, subject to cockpit temperatures in excess of 60 degrees centigrade, the effect of air conditioning on human performance cannot be underestimated. Even though the drivers are super-fit athletes, the improved air conditioning should help them to perform at a higher level and get more out of the car.

The new Peugeot 3008 DKR

“The new 3008 symbolises the next step. Our goal with this car was to take the weaker points of the existing car and make them stronger, while capitalising on all the existing strengths to improve them still further. There are also some new regulations, which we obviously needed to comply with,” said team director Bruno Famin.

In January 2017, Peugeot Sport will be aiming for the sixth Dakar win in its illustrious history. Before the Dakar itself, Carlos Sainz will test the new Peugeot 3008 DKR in race mode at Morocco Rally in October. At 2017 Dakar Rally in South America, Peugeot’s driver line-up would be the same as in 2016: Stephane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz, Sebastien Loeb and Cyril Despres.

Photos: Peugeot Sport