Dacia Duster Pikes Peak Gallery, Official Presentation on May 26

Last week, the very first photos showing the bulked-up version of the Dacia Duster with which Renault hopes to conquer the Pikes Peak surfaced, causing a bit of a sensation among fans. As it appears, those photos were part of a more comprehensive gallery, shot for Renault in the wind tunnel where the model has underwent some testing.

The French manufacturer said that the full details and the official presentation of the model will take place on Thursday, May 26. Until that time, here's what the rumor mill managed to squeeze from all those inside sources we keep telling you about.

Apparently, Renault did the unthinkable and stripped an engine off a Nissan GT-R to fit it under the hood of the Duster. The engine, a V8, develops 850 horsepower and is meant to push up the Pikes Peak hill a Duster body that weighs some 900 kg. The French plan to send the model to the top of the Peak in under 10 minutes, meaning it targets just what all Pikes Peak entrants target.

Behind the wheel of the Duster will sit driver Jean-Philippe Dayraut. Dayraut is no stranger to the Duster, having competed against Alain Prost's Duster in the Trophee Andros competition. Of course, Prost's Duster doesn't even come close to this one...

More on the Duster Pikes Peak will be revealed, as said, on May 26. The run for glory itself will take place on June 26, when the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb kicks off. The Pikes Peak guru Nobuhiro Tajima and his no lesser rival Rhys Millen will be there too.