Volkswagen continues to bet on the Dakar Rally

The Volkswagen Board of Management has confirmed that the brand will contest the Dakar Rally in 2011 further enhancing the commitment and success of Volkswagen in the race. In the last two editions, both taking place in South America, the German team took the victory home and at this year’s race dominated the podium with a one-two-three finish.

In 2009 the Race Touareg made history when it clinched a one-two victory in its first attempt. With the announcement by the management board Volkswagen will be able to defend its title and try to achieve a hat-trick on one of the most famous and demanding races in the world.

“The Dakar Rally makes maximum demands on the vehicles and the team. This makes it the ideal terrain to present Volkswagen’s technical expertise and perfect teamwork to a large audience,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand for the Development Division.  “South America is an important growth market for Volkswagen and thus the ideal venue to continue expanding the awareness and popularity enjoyed by the Volkswagen brand.”

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen commented on the brand’s further commitment to the Dakar Rally saying “We now have the opportunity to achieve the diesel hat-trick and to thereby make motorsport history again.  We will again invest all our passion, heart and soul in this project at the next Dakar.”

The Dakar Rally continues to be one of the most important involvements of Vokswagen in motorsport. Entering the rally has produced technical improvements with the engineers from Wolfsburg bringing the diesel technology with its high fuel economy to high-level competition.

Volkswagen is also searching for new approaches in motorsports, for example with the Scirocco R Cup that is set to make its debut race this season this season. The Volkswagen race car will bring a new concept with CO2 emissions being reduced by 80 percent thanks to the use of bio natural gas. The bio natural gas will also be used for the first time ever at the -hour race on the legendary Nordschleife of the Nürburgring.