The “Dakar” expedition of the Volkswagen team in detail

Volkswagen Race Touareg 2

WOLFSBURG : November 26, 2008 - A demanding endurance test: in January, Volkswagen will contest the famous and tough Dakar Rally, which will be staged in Argentina and Chile for the fist time – thus tackling the greatest challenge motorsport has to offer.


What are the sporting implications of the 30th round of the Dakar Rally for the four driver/co-driver duos in the Race Touareg vehicles? What are the technical challenges to be met? And how is the complex logistical effort behind Volkswagen's factory commitment being handled?

Answers to these and further questions can be found in several topical packages with information, brief interviews as well as facts and figures provided by Volkswagen for downloading as part of the media countdown until the "Dakar”.

The Dakar Rally in South America: an extreme voyage of discovery

From one ocean to another, at extreme altitudes among mountains soaring up to heights of 6,000 metres, and through the most arid desert in the world: the Dakar Rally is more than just an automotive race – for the 530 competitors, it is the greatest adventure that motorsport has to offer. With the classic desert race premiering in South America this year, the four Volkswagen Race Touaregs and the accompanying team will travel across Argentina and Chile for the first time, experiencing highly diverse and fascinating landscapes along the way. This may sound like a relaxing outdoor tour, but for the Volkswagen team of approximately 80, it's actually the toughest part of the year, as the rally cars are put through their paces on the 14 daily stages and as the team endeavours to adapt the vehicles to the diversity of the racecourse of more than 9,000 kilometres – sometimes in very adverse weather conditions.

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]