Overclocker

Volkswagen is entering the 5,280-mile Dakar Rally with a team of TDI engine-equipped Touaregs.

Date posted: 12-11-2006

WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen's new 2.5-liter five-cylinder TDI engine will power four Race Touareg 2 rally vehicles next month in the Dakar Rally, which kicks off January 6 in Lisbon.

The VW/Red Bull team will be spearheaded by two former World Rally Champions: Finn Ari Vatanen, a four-time Dakar Rally winner, and Spaniard Carlos Sainz. Two other works Touaregs will be piloted by American Mark Miller and South African Giniel de Villiers.

The VW team, which finished 2nd in 2006, hopes to make the Touareg the first diesel-powered entry to win Dakar. The upcoming event encompasses 8,500 kilometers (5,281 miles) in 16 days. VW last won Dakar in 1980, with an Iltis.

In race trim, the new TDI engine delivers 285 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.

What this means to you: Don't be surprised to see a production version of VW's five-cylinder TDI make its way to North America some time in the next three years — but probably not in a Touareg.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=118809#2

foofighter

didnt they race the 12 cylinder TDI before as well?