Press release
Paris / Stuttgart,
Premiere at the 40th anniversary of the Dakar Rally
Borgward BX7 DKR to take part in the world’s toughest off-road rally
The Stuttgart-based automaker Borgward will be returning to motor sports next year, when it will take part in the 40th Dakar Rally. Borgward has decided to take this step because it is currently preparing for its market launch in South America next year. Participation in the rally will increase the brand’s popularity in the entire region and at the same time demonstrate the products’ reliability and durability under even the most extreme conditions. “We are convinced that our rally vehicle, the BX7 DKR, has everything it takes to successfully complete the world’s toughest off-road rally,” says Tom Anliker, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Sales and Services at Borgward Group AG. In 2018 the biggest and best-known endurance rally will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. The rally was conducted for the first time in 1978 in North Africa and was moved to South America in 2009.
The Borgward BX7 DKR is a thoroughbred SUV prototype that was specially created for this rally. The vehicle’s appearance is based on that of the Borgward BX7 volume model and was developed by Wevers Sports team in Netherlands. It will participate in the prototype class T1.1, which includes many illustrious vehicles, and its body consists of carbon fiber. The endurance racer is powered by a gasoline engine, electronically managed by a Bosch control system that was specially developed for motor sports. In accordance with the rally’s rules, an air restrictor limits the engine’s output to 275 kW (375 hp). The vehicle has a maximum torque of 550 Nm. enables the vehicle to move ahead even under the most adverse conditions. The individual suspension featuring adjustable springs and twin dampers ensures that the vehicle reliably maintains contact with the ground, and the Brembo braking system with its water-cooled brake calipers on the rear axle brake the Borgward BX7 DKR just as reliably.
Borgward has hired Nicholas Fuchs from Peru to drive the vehicle. Well-known to motor sports insiders and beyond, Fuchs is an experienced rally driver with German roots who became the WRC2 Production Champion in 2013 and has also won numerous endurance races in North and South America. In addition, FIA has honored Fuchs four times as South America’s best rally driver. Fuchs, who is famous in his home country, is looking forward to working together with Borgward. “It’s a great honor for me to drive in the Dakar Rally for a brand as renowned as Borgward. Besides, the Borgward BX7 DKR has what it takes to be very successful in the rally!” he says. Borgward has recruited Fernando Mussano from Argentina to be the vehicle’s co-driver. Mussano and Fuchs have been a successful rally duo for the past 11 years.
The Dakar Rally is staged by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which is based in France. Next year’s race will begin in Lima, Peru, on January 6, 2018, continue across Bolivia and end in Cordoba, Argentina, on January 20. The more than 5,000-kilometer-long route will have 14 stages. The drivers will rest for one day in La Paz, Bolivia, on January 12.
Borgward gained its first motor sports experience during the Dakar series’ China Rally in August 2017. This race is considered a “dress rehearsal” of the Dakar Rally. The three near-series vehicles that were used in the China Rally were based on the more compact BX5 SUV. All of them crossed the finish line.
Further information
BORGWARD GROUP AG
Kriegsbergstrasse 11
70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Axel Lengert
Director Product Communication
Tel.: +49 (0)711 36510 1045
e-mail: axel.lengert@borgward.com
www.borgward.com
Download photos
Nicholas Fuchs next to the Borgward BX7 DKR
