Volkswagen launches Race Touareg 3

21st August 2010

By Anthony Peacock

Volkswagen launched its latest Dakar car – the Race Touareg 3 – in Trier, Germany, last night.

Having launched the car, the Wolfsburg-based team confirmed last year’s top three Dakar crews, Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mark Miller will drive the cars along with Giniel de Villiers, who delivered VW’s first Dakar success, and the first for a diesel-engined car, in 2009.

Volkswagen Motorsport director Kris Nissen said: “The Dakar Rally is a mystique. Everything’s got to be right to conquer it. Technology, drivers, service and logistics – every single aspect is crucial. Anyone aiming to finish the Dakar at the very top has to first conquer the rally itself and then beat their rivals. We’ve learned a lot in the past few years. All of these things had to be considered in the development of a new vehicle – I believe we’ve found the ideal mix of revolution and evolution for our Race Touareg 3.”

Among the biggest changes to the new car is the aerodynamics with the roof of the new car incorporating a bigger air scoop to help cool the engine, dampers and fuel.

Having just completed a three-week test in Spain and Morocco – in temperatures as high as 48 degrees – the new car will make its competitive debut on the Silk Way Rally in Russia early next month.