Piloting the 2.5-liter 280 horsepower diesel vehicles will be Carlos Sainz, Giniel de Villiers, Mark Miller and Dieter Depping. Following last year's terrorist threat that canceled the 2008 race, the French organizers of the rally decided to move to South America for this year's adventure.
The engines have been subjected to thousands of miles of testing in an environment chamber, which was designed to simulate the high altitudes that will be seen on the route. All of the drivers completed altitude training in the Alps to further prepare for the race.
The event starts in Buenos Aires on January 3 and will cover more than 5,625 miles over 15 stages. The teams are set to travel through Argentina and Chile from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and back, with some of the more difficult stages including passage through the Atacama Desert and the Andes mountain range.
Inside Line says: With nine wins in 24 events, the Race Touareg "Dakar" prototype should definitely be a big contender in the rally. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
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