Peugeot's 2016 Dakar challenger sports Michelin D16 tires

Making its Dakar comeback in 2015, Peugeot Sport has entered four 2008 DKRs for this year's competition. They will be in the hands of Cyril Despres, Dakar rookie Sébastien Loeb, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz, who are all running on the new Michelin D16 (‘Dakar 16’) tires which was said to be developed especially for the front-wheel drive car.

Michelin said that the D16 tire was designed to match the demands of the latest Peugeot 2008 DKR rally car and delivers improved grip on all types of ground. The tire company goes on by saying that they've conducted a test program in 2015, which included visits to the Moroccan desert.

“Our involvement in cross-country rallying represents a very big challenge and sends out a strong signal. We use all the disciplines in which we compete as laboratories to develop new technologies and the Dakar stands out as one of the most extreme tests of them all,” said Michelin Motorsport Director Pascal Couasnon.

Michelin will provide rubber for the majority of the 354 vehicles participating in this year's Dakar Rally. With this, the company said that more than 3,000 tires will be fitted and/or stripped in the course of the 2016 Dakar. After use, the covers are analyzed and the information is passed on to Michelin’s Research and Development Centre in Ladoux, France.