Peugeot unveils Dakar Rally spec 2008 DKR

On the day that the route of next year's Dakar Rally was announced, the news of French marque Peugeot's return to the world famous cross-country event - held in South America since 2009 despite the name - complimented the announcement.

However, now Peugeot has unveiled the vehicle that it will use to reclaim the top step on the podium of the gruelling event, the 2008 DKR.

Peugeot won the Dakar Rally four times from 1987 to 1990 but then stayed away from the iconic event, which along with its victorious participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC) shot the company into the motorsport limelight as well as increased its awareness in the public.

The 2008 DKR will be a two-wheel drive vehicle unlike most of the car entries that feature four-wheel-drive to tackle the rough conditions encountered on the Dakar Rally.

However, there has been a history of a lightweight, rear-wheel drive 'buggy' triumphing on the event and former two-time WRC champion Carlos Sainz who has been signed to drive along with five-time motorcycle Dakar Rally winner Cyril Despress put on a good show in the previous two editions in a rear wheel drive Baja 1000 based vehicle.

The 2015 Dakar Rally will start from Buenos Aires on January 4 and will conclude in the same city after completing a looping route that goes through Chile and Bolivia.