Volkswagen wins Dakar 2011

They are also the first manufacturer to have won the automobile category in the desert classic with diesel technology. Volkswagen alone is credited with 12 of a possible 13 stage victories. Carlos Sainz realised a personal best with his stage victory on the way to Buenos Aires: now with stage win number 24 he surpasses the 23 stage victories scored in the car class by current rival Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel.

The third generation Race Touareg equipped with a 2.5-litre TDI 5-cylinder, bi-turbo engine and permanent four-wheel drive completed its Dakar premiere successfully from the beginning, never being headed over the grueling 9600km route.