Peugeot is looking to defend its 2016 Dakar title with the new 3008 DKR. Details here.
A number of changes compared to the Dakar winning 2008 DKR will need to work at peak performance over 10 000km of flat out racing if Peugeot is to win the toughest rally in the world for a second consecutive time. New challengers include Toyota Gazoo Racing; the Hilux Evo has been modified closer to the Peugeot’s 2-wheel drive buggy specification with bigger wheels, lower weight and greater wheel travel.
Peugeot’s successful test at the Silk Way Rally has buoyed the team’s confidence. “The new 3008 symbolises the next step,” said team director Bruno Famin. “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.”
The 3008 DKR has seen numerous improvements over the 2016 2008 DKR model
Reliability. While the previous car was durable enough to win the Dakar this year and claim nine stages (including seven one-twos), in any competition machine there is always room to improve on 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.
Driveability. Huge steps were made forward in this area from the 2015 debut to 2016, but Peugeot Sport has now ensured that the car’s 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel engine is even more driveable for next year’s Dakar, delivering greater torque at lower revs. Adding to the challenge for the engineers is the fact that 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 15 kilowatts. However, this power is now accessible from further down the rev range, meaning that the car is easier to drive and potentially even faster.
Suspension. This is one of the key elements to success on the Dakar, as it governs just how quickly the car can cover the ever-changing untrammelled terrain that is the hallmark of the Dakar, ranging from salt flats, to WRC-style gravel roads, to sand dunes. The suspension was already one of the most impressive aspects of the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR for the drivers, but for the new 3008 DKR further work has been done on the geometry and dampers.
Air conditioning. It’s something we all take for granted on our road cars, but the air conditioning that was introduced on the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR in Asia this summer has been made even more effective for Peugeot Sport’s latest creation. 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.
When it comes to driver experience, Peugeot holds the edge with a formidable line-up. The star-studded team includes 12-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel teams up with Carlos Sainz, Sébastien Loeb and Cyril Despres.
