Vatanen devouring dunes on the Dakar with his 405. Source: Peugeot Sport.
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The Lion In The Desert: Peugeot in the Dakar

After almost 9.000 kilometers of heart attack, Carlos Sainz has obtained the victory in the last edition of Dakar rally. A rally that, although it no longer reaches the city that gave it its name, is still the toughest car event on the calendar. Quite a challenge for drivers and mechanics, where cars have to withstand extreme conditions of all kinds. This is why reliability and toughness are as essential here as power or handling.

And if we talk about toughness ... possibly one of the first brands to come to mind is peugeot. They are not particularly pretty cars, we agree that they usually do not fit by sight. Nor do they usually provide exciting sports sensations on a circuit or mountain road. But nevertheless… they are tough, reliable and robust.

Perhaps that is why the lion brand is a symbol in the world of rallying. A symbol that has been forged thanks to icons such as the 205 and 405 Turbo 16, the current 3008 DKR or… the old 404 and 504! And yes, if you can't imagine these utilitarian simpletons crossing Africa ... watch this video and see what they were capable of. Amazing!

FROM THE FIRST DAKAR PEUGEOT TO THE 205 TURBO 16

1979 saw the first edition of the Paris - Algiers - Dakar. Quite a feat for pioneers, to the point that it had to be a kind of “crazy car race”. Because you had to be very crazy to get involved in such a feat ... on your own! And that's how the first Peugeot were on the Dakar, on their own. Six 504 and two 404 participated in that first feat, and the best position was that of Raymond Thèrage's 504. A discreet… 70th position. However, it is not bad at all if we consider that his 504 was little more than the series version. Few mid-segment cars could give samples of such reliability.

Beyond this type of individual heroism, Peugeot did not compete in the Dakar until 1987. The reason was obvious: she was more than entertained competing in the World Rally Championship thanks to her cars of Group B. Especially thanks to his spectacular 205 Turbo 16, a track myth banned in 1986. Quite a shame, since he had just won two world titles driven by Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. However, that ban on Group B by the FIA ​​turned out to be an opportunity for Peugeot. Suddenly the French lion was looking at Africa ...

With Jean Todt at the helm, The team of Peugeot Sport he set to work with his sights set on the 1987 Dakar. Thus, and on the basis of a 206 Turbo 16 from Group B, the adaptation to the demanding African tracks began. The engine was tailored to needs where reliability reigned over long runs. For this reason, it reduced its power to 380 hp, improved its operation at high temperatures and adapted to run more comfortably at medium speed.

The wheelbase was extended by about 33 centimeters, with which an extra 190-liter tank could be fitted. In addition, the suspensions received a radical change by increasing their travel thanks to new ball joints and reinforced triangles. Traction remained integral. The gearbox reinforced its pinion and adapted its developments to the needs of the march through the desert. At the same time, a power steering was mounted to facilitate the work of pilots who had to endure enormous pressure for hours.

In short, although the adaptation was not easy, the 206 Turbo 16 was ready to go to Dakar Rally 1987. And not only ready to go, but also ready to win. Both in '87 and '88, with a plethora of Vatanen and Kankkunen at the wheel. But there it was not the thing, because Peugeot still had a new beast to release ...

DEL FALLIDO GRUPO SA THE TRACKS OF AFRICA: THE 405 TURBO 16

Almost 500 hp, supercharged four-cylinder engine, variable geometry turbocharger, sequential transmission ... A true powerhouse. We are talking about the 405 Turbo 16. A car that, in principle, was developed to compete in the failed Group S. That segment that the FIA ​​devised as a substitute for Group B but that was never legalized due to safety issues.

And the fact is that, although the FIA ​​intended to reduce the power from 500CV in Group B to a maximum of 300 in Group S ... the rest of the parameters were hardly touched, so these cars were still real beasts protagonists of not a few accidents. And that, due to the non-approval of the segment, they never went beyond being prototypes ...

Although in the case of the 405 Turbo 16, yes there was a life beyond design testing. A successful life in which he managed to be the winner in the Dakar in 1989 and 1990, both with an Ari Vatanen dominating the scene. Scene that could have been even more victorious if in 1988 Their car wouldn't have been stolen! And of course, although in the middle of the desert there are not many people ... the truth is that these cars attract a lot of attention. So one night his Peugeot disappeared.

And, although this one appeared a few hours later… Vatanen was disqualified that same day for having started late, even though he was leading with a two-hour lead over the next. And all this after a bizarre story in which Jean Todt received a call in which he was summoned to a point near the camp to be able to retrieve the car «in 15 minutes, with 15 million francs«. Things that could only happen in the Dakar Rally from Africa.

Beyond robberies that would have been the delight of El Pera in its early years… Peugeot won its first four Dakar starts. The domain was absolute. So much so that in 1990 the brand made a triplet, placing three of its pilots -Vatanen, Waldergard and Ambrosino- on the podium. As it is, and perhaps inspired by the fact that when you have reached so high you can only fall, Peugeot withdrew from the Dakar in style. But not forever ...

RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE DAKAR RALLY

After 25 years, Peugeot returned to the desert. Although not the one in Africa, since the Dakar had already moved to South America. The goal was simple: to win back a record at the height of the early days. And although they did not succeed in 2015 ... their 2008 DKR was up to the task in 2016. Driven by Stéphane Peterhansel, the Peugeot team claimed absolute victory.

Victory revalidated in 2017 also by Peterhansel, which has been repeated in 2018, taking to Carlos Sainz back to the top of the podium Dakar Rally on board 3008DKR. A "buggy”Of just over 1000 kilos, with a fuel tank of up to 400 liters and… only rear wheel drive! An obstacle-devouring ingenuity that has already entered the Peugeot legend at the Dakar. A brand with 7 victories in 8 participations, which is capable of generating an expectation like this ...

peugeot rally dakar history 405 205
Tremendous expectation on arrival in Dakar. Source: Peugeot Sport.

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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