Automobiles Review

Tag: Dakar Rally

  • MINI ALL4 Racing to Participate in the Dakar Rally

    The MINI ALL4 Racing is returning in 2015 again to defend its Dakar Rally crown! This thrilling motor race takes drivers across 9,000km of the South American continent, thus passing through Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. The people who are going to fight for MINI’s trophy are the famous Nani Roma and his experienced co-driver Michel Périn. The latter is a four-time Dakar winner himself.

    In relation to the race, the legend Nani Roma commented: “The Dakar Rally is the most physically and mentally challenging rally in the world. After doing it 18 times it runs through my blood. Winning the 2014 Dakar Rally in the MINI ALL4 Racing was very special to me because it came exactly ten years after my first Dakar victory.”

    The MINI ALL4 Racing is said to be ready to demonstrate what is really locked in its nature. It is super powerful, really reliable and, above all, fast! Those are qualities that will definitely help the MINI justify its title of a winner.

    More about the race now. The Dakar Rally represents an absolute orienteering challenge and endurance test. People who are taking part in it, drivers and co-drivers, are not aware of the exact route until the night before when the co-driver is presented with his Roadbook. This is the key to the race which provides information about the route, dangers highlighted courses and the different terrains the car is supposed to go through.

    Most importantly though, the Dakar Rally tests the unique skills of the participants, their orientation and individual character.

    Mini All4 Racing Geneva 2013
    Mini All4 Racing Geneva 2013
    Mini All4 Racing Geneva 2013
    Mini All4 Racing Geneva 2013

    Source: MINI

  • Ford Ranger at the 2014 Dakar Rally

    Ford will participate in the 2014 Dakar, taking place from 5th to 18th January 2014 in South America. For the tough rally two Ford Rangers are built and prepared by Neil Woolridge Motorsport.

    The two T6 Ranger 4×4 Double Cab vehicles are powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engines with 349HP (260 kW) at 4,500RPM and 560Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque at 4,100RPM. The engine is mated to a Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox linked to a permanent four-wheel drive setup. The fuel consumption is between 28 liters / 100 km and 90 liters / 100 km, when driving in sandy racing conditions.

    These custom Rangers benefit from an independent front/rear suspension, front/rear antiroll bar and ride on 16” Evocorse wheels shod in 245/85 Michelin tires.

    The stopping power is provided by Brembo and feature front air-cooled and rear water-cooled brakes.

    The crub weight of 2014 Ford Ranger for Dakar is 1,975 kg (4,354 lb-ft).

    The first crew features Lucio Alvarez and Ronnie Graue, while in the second car will be driven by Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst.

    The 2014 Dakar Rally Route is sure to be as trying as ever. The event will start in Rosario, Argentina on January 5 and finish in Valparaiso, Chile on January 18 after thirteen stages of competition, which will comprise a total distance of over 8,500 kilometres.

    Ford Ranger Dakar Rally
    Ford Ranger Dakar Rally
    Ford Ranger Dakar Rally
    Ford Ranger Dakar Rally

    Ford Ranger Technical Specs:

    Base Vehicle
    Regulations
    Engine
    Engine Management
    Power
    Torque
    Rev limit:
    Fuel consumption (L/100 km):
    Body
    Suspension

    Brakes

    Fuel Cell
    Gearbox
    Cabin
    Differential
    Steering
    Internal Electronics
    Driveline
    Drive wheels:
    Top speed:
    Mass:

    		 T6 Ford Ranger 4×4 Double Cab
    FIA / ASO T1
    Ford Aluminum 5.0L-4V V8 with Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing
    Magneti Marelli
    260kW@ 4500r/min
    560nm@ 4100r/min
    5500rpm
    90L / 100km in sandy racing conditions and 28L / 100km on normal road driving
    Full Composite
    Independent Front and Rear
    Twin BOS Dampers/Wheel
    Antiroll Bar Front and Rear
    Brembo Water Cooled Rear
    Brembo Air Cooled Front
    500L
    Sadev 6 Speed Sequential, permanente 4 wheel drive
    Air conditioned
    LSD Unit Front and Rear
    Sadev
    GEMS
    GKN
    16 inch Evocorse rims fitted with 245/85 – 16 Michelin tyres
    170km/h
    1975kg

    Source: Ford

  • Isuzu Dakar D-Max Set to Compete in the Famous Rally

    Isuzu-D-Max-Dakar-THUMBIsuzu D-Max Dakar is one of the most spectacular and powerful pick-ups ever built, and it will participate in the Dakar Rally – one of the most gruelling races on earth. The event will happen in January next year.

    The vehicle is based on the production Isuzu D-Max 4×4 double-cab, but it has increased performance due to the new 3.0-litre (2,994cc) 16-valve common-rail turbo diesel engine. It produces output of 242 horsepower (178 kW) and 589 Nm (435 lb-ft) of torque. The powerplant is matched to a four-wheel drive system and a sequential five-speed Hollinger gearbox and Xtreme rally clutch.

    Further enhancements regard the chassis, which includes custom-built, full-length eight millimetre aluminium skid plates, while the steel cab body is fitted with an integrated roll-cage and carbon-fibre panels that shield the pick-up’s key components.

    The immediate stopping is ensured by the additionally added DBA Kangaroo Paw ventilated disc brakes with cross-drilled discs and Harrop aluminium racing calipers. Isuzu D-Max Dakar rides on 16 x 7-inch ROH Trojan alloy wheels, shod with Toyo Open Country M/T-R tyres. And to sum up the result of these enhancements, it is a great acceleration time from zero to 100 km/h in seven seconds. The top speed is 190 kph.

    Isuzu D-Max Dakar
    Isuzu D-Max Dakar

    Technical specifications:

    Body and construction
    Base vehicle Isuzu D-Max 4×4 double cab
    Body Isuzu steel cab body with integrated roll-cage and carbon fibre panels
    Chassis Garland Motorsports-modified Isuzu D-Max chassis
    Underbody Custom-built, full-length 8 mm aluminium skid plates
    Engine and transmission
    Engine Isuzu-developed 2994cc in-line DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel
    Power 242 horsepower (180 kw) @ 4800 rpm
    Torque 589 Nm (434 ft/lb) @ 2000 rpm
    Cooling Davies Craig electric water pump with Adrad custom cross-flow aluminium cab-mounted radiator with dual electric fans
    Induction Isuzu turbocharger with intercooler mounted in original radiator position
    Gearbox and clutch Five-speed Hollinger sequential gearbox and Xtreme rally clutch
    Fuel tank Custom-built dual aluminium fuel tank with a total capacity of 320 litres (85 gallons)
    Drivetrain, suspension and damping
    Front differential Isuzu rear housing, modified to suit independent front suspension and drive-shaft
    Rear differential Isuzu rear axle and housing, modified to suit ladder-bar rear suspension
    Front suspension Custom-built independent, torsion-bar using Isuzu lower control arm, King off-road racing reservoir shocks and adjustable stops
    Rear suspension Custom-built coil-sprung ladder bar with adjustable King off-road racing, remote reservoir shocks and adjustable stops
    Brakes, wheels and tyres
    Brakes DBA Kangaroo Paw ventilated disc brakes with cross-drilled rotors and Harrop aluminium racing callipers
    Wheels 16 x 7-inch ROH Trojan alloy wheels
    Tyres Toyo Open Country M/T-R
    Interior
    Telemetry Racepak data gathering and engine control
    Seats Recaro motorsport shell
    Steering wheel Momo three-spoke
    Weight
    Weight 2300kg (approximately)
    Performance
    0-100km/h (60mph 7 seconds (estimated, on dirt)
    Top speed 190 kph

    Source: Isuzu

  • Qt launches the 2010 Wildcat 300STR

    Qt Services has announced officially the market launch of the all-new Wildcat 300STR, a ultra-powerful, tough and robust road-legal off-road ride aimed at enthusiasts. (more…)