After pulling the wraps off the updated 2008 DKR back in September, Peugeot has released the first images with the racer in its new colored livery.

This year’s racer is painted in Team Peugeot Total’s main sponsor Red Bull livery. Its overall design remains unchanged from the car shown earlier this year, but compared to its predecessor, the new 2008 DKR is longer, wide, lower and, most importantly, more powerful.

If the car goes as well as it looks, then we are certainly set for a strong year next year!”, said Peugeot Sport director Bruno Famin. “In its definitive livery, the new Peugeot 2008 DKR16 looks like it’s going really fast even when it’s standing still. We know that our cars will definitely have a strong visual presence on the Dakar: now it’s down to us as a team to make the most of that“, .

The Peugeot 2008 DKR benefits from improved aerodynamics and a redesigned suspension to cope with rough terrains more effectively. Under the hood it sports a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel engine rated at350hp (355PS) and 800Nm (590lb-ft) of torque.

The French racer will compete in the 38th Dakar Rally, which will start on January 2 in Buenos Aires and finish on January 16 in Rosario after approximately 10,000 km (6,200 miles) covering almost the entire width of South America.

PHOTO GALLERY