Dakar Rally

Coming off a loss to Iveco on its 2016 campaign, Russian Dakar staple Kamaz has designed an all-new truck pointed directly at the 2017 Dakar event. The big, bad, blacked-out Master "Kapotnik" features a new layout and a 980-hp powertrain.

The Peugeot 2008 DKR was one of the most beastly off-roaders we looked at in 2014. Its large, rugged looks didn't translate to success at Dakar earlier this year, however. So Peugeot developed the even bigger, gnarlier 2008 DKR16.

One of the toughest, meanest new vehicles of 2014, the 2008 DKR is being prepped for Peugeot's 2015 return to the Dakar Rally. We've already looked at the drastic body modifications, and now we have the details on what will be propelling the rally car up powdery hills and over rough desert floors.

This week, Peugeot shared the first details and pictures of the off-roader it will put to the test on South American soil in next year's Dakar Rally. The 2008 DKR is a big, brutal version of its namesake crossover, and it looks hungry for a win.

MINI is determined to defend its Dakar title with its fleet of four Countryman race cars.

New names dominated the Dakar Rally this year - MINI won 1-2 first time out, and Iveco took away truck honors from traditional winners Kamaz. For KTM, it was business as usual with a 12th straight win

It was the usual suspects once more in the 2011 Dakar Rally. Volkswagen's TDI diesel Touaregs went 1-2-3, KTM's 450s went 1-2 for the tenth time in a row and Kamaz's Vladimir Chagin repeated last year's win.

VW TDI technology went 1-2-3 in the 2010 Dakar Rally, with Carlos Sainz taking the win. In the motorcycles, Depres won his third Dakar, and KTM its tenth. Yamaha dominated the Quads with a 1-2-3, and Kamaz took its ninth truck win.

After seven of the 14 legs of the 2010 Dakar Rally, the usual suspects have found their way to the fore once more. VW Touaregs hold the first three spots, while in the bikes, KTM’s 690s hold first and six of the top 10 places.

With the Dakar Rally currently underway, it’s interesting to note that the leading marques are among the least reliable 4x4s on the road, where it really counts, according to newly released warranty information.

A twin-cylinder "Super Tenere" is in the pipeline which will compete against the BMW R1200GS.

Just as Gottleib Daimler, Karl Benz, Henry Ford et al made their name at the dawn of motorsport, we suspect we’ve seen some significant global brands for the first time this week with the running of the TTXGP.