► SsangYong Rexton DKR
► Will compete in T1-3 class
► V8 power, 122mph top speed
Is this the most ludicrous SsangYong ever? This is the Rexton DKR, the brand’s second contender in the infamous Dakar rally.
The new DKR will take on the 11-day event in 2019 starting on 6 January in Peru, with Óscar Fuertes in the driver’s seat and Diego Vallejo as co-driver – the same guys who were at the helm of the Tivoli DKR car that contended in the 2018 event.
See the best bits from the 2018 Dakar Rally here
Under the not-very-SsangYong-ish body is a 444bhp petrol V8 that fires the DKR to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds and on to 122mph. To make sure the DKR withstands the gruelling stages, it wears 17-inch Yokohama Geolander boots, has a six-speed sequential manual, a Torsen differential, double-arm shocks and brakes from AP.
It’s rear-wheel drive, so will compete in the T1-3 class that consists of petrol-powered, rear-drive monsters. SsangYong is hoping to improve on its, er… 32nd place result from last year. Still, the SY team was only the second rookie team to finish.
Check out our SsangYong reviews