When Peugeot left the endurance scene, they needed something to boost their presence in the motorsports arena. To accomplish that, they got their hands to a 208 GTi, stripped it down and fitted a powerful engine. This then became the 208 T16 and grabbed the title as the fastest car to have scaled the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. And now, they are set to make an appearance on a platform that they once dominated – the Dakar Rally.
From 1987 to 1990, Peugeot had dominated the sport at the hands of top notch drivers like Ari Vatanen, Juha Kankkunen and Jacky Ickx. With the incredible success the 208 had shown at Pikes Peak, Peugeot has chosen the 208-based 2008 crossover for their 2015 attempt.
Since Sebastien Loeb himself is pretty busy in the World Touring Car Championship, Peugeot has recruited World Rally Champion and also a 2010 Dakar winner Carlos Seinz and Dakar motorcycle veteran Cyril Despres to lead the team’s charge. With the Pikes Peak partnership of Peugeot Sport, Red Bull and Total, and the addition of the two top drivers, it is most likely that Peugeot will be the front-runner for the 2015 edition of the Dakar rally.
