Iveco is lauding the performance of its trucks on the recently completed Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia where a highly race modified Powerstar claimed victory in the grueling 14 day torture test over 8500 km in the wilds of the empire’s vast deserts.
Dutch driver Janus van Kasteren piloted the Boss Machinery De Rooy Iveco Powerstar to victory in the difficult conditions, which also saw the Iveco Powerstar’s of Eurol Team De Rooy entrants Martin van den Brink and Mitchel van den Brink guide their race trucks into third and fourth places .
The 45th running of the Dakar saw all three Ivecos powered by high output FPT (Fiat Powertrain) 13 litre engines producing over 900 horsepower.
Iveco’s strong Dakar Rally performance this year adds to the brand’s impressive track record in the event, which also included wins in 2016 and 2012 along with many podium finishes.
Iveco ANZ managing director, Michael May, said Iveco’s off-road range boasted a tremendous pedigree, with advancements and testing gained in the theatre of competition filtering through to local showroom models.
“Participation and ongoing success in the Dakar Rally confirm the reliability of Iveco trucks and the brand’s commitment to research, development and testing in extreme environments,” May said.
“Iveco has one of the strongest off-road ranges available in Australia, with buyers able to choose from a wide selection of vehicles spanning the light, medium and heavy-duty weight classes.”
“A further connection exists between the race vehicles and Iveco ANZ in the ‘Powerstar’ nameplate – Powerstar was a road-going model developed in Australia and the truck’s distinctive sloping bonnet is still being used on the Powerstar racing trucks.”
Michael May said that Iveco’s Dakar Rally win would continue to raise the profile of Iveco’s off-road models.
“Iveco is gaining a stellar reputation in demanding off-road motorsports and local buyers of our trucks should be buoyed in the knowledge that our vehicles are making an impact and proving themselves in the World’s toughest environments.
“We’re also looking forward to bolstering our off-highway offerings later in the year with the introduction of the new T-WAY.”
Iveco is clearly looking to leverage its off road truck range on the back of the Dakar success emphasizing that its line up begins with the 7tonne GVM Daily 4×4 extending to the medium duty 15tonne GVM Eurocargo 4×4, the 33 tonne GVM Trakker 4×4 and 6×6 range for mining and exploration work, and the Astra 6×6 and 8×8 models with GVMs of up to 48tonne for off-road tipper duties, drilling and exploration duties amongst others.
