VW Race Touareg 3 Dakar Challenger Unveiled

After two months of teasing, German manufacturer Volkswagen finally took the wraps off its new Dakar challenger, the Race Touareg 3. Coming as an evolution of the Race Touareg 2, winner of the 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally events and the first diesel-powered vehicle ever to win the event, the new Race Touareg 3 promises to offer an improved look and performance.

Changes were made to the carbon fibre and Kevlar bodywork, while the disruption to the airflow at high speeds was minimized. Exterior modifications include new LED lights, a new grille, window line, rear clamshell and wheels.

Powering the Race Touareg 3 is a twin-turbocharged 2.5-litre TDI engine that has been optimized to allow greater economy while still producing 300 PS and 442 lbs ft of torque (600 Nm). The unit is coupled to an upgraded five-speed sequential gearbox and a ZF-Sachs three-plate ceramic clutch.

The Race Touareg 3 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h).

Volkswagen’s Dakar challenger is based on a high-strength steel spaceframe chassis with a pair of springs and damper units fitted to every corner in order to protect the vehicle against severe impacts. Creating the visual and physical connection to the road are a set of specially developed BF Goodrich 235/85 R16 tires.

“The new Race Touareg 3 has already undergone shakedown tests comprising 10,000 kilometres of simulated special stages ahead of the 2011 Dakar Rally. This equates to twice the length of the Rally itself and a greater distance than Formula 1 cars cover in an entire season,” a company statement reads.

❐ Check out the VW Race Touareg 3 Dakar Challenger Unveiled photo gallery