Images: Flavien Duhamel/ Red Bull Media House

For many years now, PSA Peugeot Citroen has dominated in the motorsports industry, providing incredibly nimble and competitive vehicles as well as pairing with some of the world’s best drivers, and in 2015, they hope to continue that trend. The company is planning to do this with its latest Dakar Rally racer, according to Motor Authority. But this challenge car may not be quite what you would expect from the motorsports great.

Wanting to secure the victory at next year’s Dakar Rally, Peugeot has just released designs for its 2015 Rally car, which is based off the company’s 2008 DKR. But, just like some of the company’s previous Dakar challenge vehicles, this one won’t be much like its factory brethren.

Powering the latest Peugeot Dakar challenger will be a 3.0L V6 bi-turbo diesel engine which is slated to give the vehicle 340 hp and an 590 lb-ft of torque. This is said to be a mid-mounted engine, being positioned behind the driver.

Adding of change to the vehicle is its rear-wheel-drive setup, instead of the traditional four-wheel-drive. Though it may seem a little out of place, the rear-wheel-drive setup will give Peugeot advantages like fewer weight restrictions compared to their four-wheel-drive cohorts and the ability to run a larger wheel and tire combination.

Taking full advantage of this, Peugeot plans to run 17-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires- not a bad way to go when it comes to the challenges of Dakar, especially with 18 inches of suspension travel!

With renowned drivers Carlos Sainz, Spanish World Rally Champion, and Cyril Despres, Dakar motorcycle king, dedicated to Peugeot’s run for the 2015 Dakar title, we’re sure to see quite the show coming from the French company in the months leading up to and during next year’s Dakar Rally!