PARIS: Following two Dakar Rally victories in 2016 and 2017, Peugeot Sport reveals the successor to the Peugeot 3008DKR.
What once conquered South America in January, the racing version of Peugeot’s 3008 SUV is the new Peugeot 3008DKR Maxi.
As the name suggests, it's bigger with a wider track designed to help it take on gravel roads, dunes and mountains of the most famous endurance rallies in the world.
The new car is 200mm wider than its predecessor - due to the suspension track on each side being increased by 100mm.
To achieve this, the upper and lower wishbones are new, as well as front and rear track rod ends and driveshafts.
As a result, the stability and dynamics of the car are improved, with an expected increase in performance.
This latest evolution, designed by Peugeot Sport’s engineers, is still undergoing development and will make its debut at the 2017 Silk Way Rally that goes from Russia to China next month.
Helming the controls will be nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, who finished second in the Dakar this year and is contesting the Silk Way Rally for the second time.
Joining in on the adventure, which runs from July 7-22, are team mates Stephane Peterhansel and last year’s Silk Way Rally winner Cyril Despres, who will be driving the current specification Peugeot 3008DKR, which locked out the Dakar Rally podium positions earlier this season.
The fourth member of Peugeot’s ‘dream team’, Carlos Sainz, will re-unite with the team to tackle Dakar again next year and has helped to develop Peugeot’s newest off-road challenger.
Loeb’s role on the Silk Way Rally will be to assess the latest evolutions brought to the new car, in order to steer the development direction.
But, as team director Bruno Famin points out, there can only be one overall objective on this arduous 15-day event - victory.
