Peugeot
2008 DKR16
Peugeot
Sport has taken the wraps off the 2008 DKR16 which is now bigger and packs more
punch. Compared
to its predecessor, the revised rally car set to participate at the 2016 Dakar
Rally is 200 mm longer and 200 wider while the ride height has been reduced,
but they don't say by how much. Despite being elongated, the front and rear
overhangs have actually been shortened and according to Peugeot Sport this has
improved the car's capabilities of tackling virtually any type of terrain and
it also has a more balanced downforce between the front and rear thanks to the
revised hood and the roof-mounted air intake.
The
changes are skin deep as the suspension has been modified as well and the 2008
DKR16 boasts optimized weight distribution along with new one-piece magnesium
wheels shod in lighter tires provided by Michelin.
Moreover,
the engineers from Peugeot Sport have also worked on the mid-rear mounted
twin-turbodiesel 3.0-litre V6 engine and managed to boost its output from 340
bhp (254 kW) to 350 bhp (261 kW) and a maximum torque of 800 Nm (591 lb-ft).
It's still a two-wheel drive vehicle which receives the engine's power through
a longitudinally-mounted 6-speed manual sequential transmission.
