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Mitsubishi has an admirable performance record with their off-road Pajero Evolution, racking up a record 12 Dakar wins since 1985. Why is the vehicle relevant to the green audience? This year, Mitsubishi has installed a new 260 horsepower three-liter turbo diesel V6 engine, which is a derivative of their previous gas-powered six cylinder engine. Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart considers this new engine part of a green initiative, with the team's new president, Osamu Nakayama, saying, "Our motor sports activity has taken a step up to establish the environmentally-friendly engineering strategy of Mitsubishi Motors." Mitsubishi believes that this new racing engine will further their research into non-food sourced biodiesel, which is something we can appreciate. They also have an Outlander chase vehicle running on diesel fuel. Hit the break for the press release.

Two-time WRC champ Miki Biasion could choose a gas- or diesel-powered version of the Fiat Panda to race in the Dakar rally. He took the diesel for "a matter of weight distribution and fuel economy." Choosing the diesel is less of a mystery, however, than choosing the Panda for the brutal Dakar race. It's hardly a household name in off-road racing. But the "little mouse of the dunes" has a few strong points on paper, namely its 3,100-pound weight with 3 spares and 42-gallon fuel tank.

[Source: Michele Lostia & Jonathan Noble / AutoSport]

The Dakar Rally is one of the toughest races on the planet, taking its toll on both the people and equipment. The 2007 edition of the event begins on January 6 in Lisbon, Portugal followed by a 5500 mile jaunt across the Sahara desert to Dakar, Senegal. Most of the competitors are custom-made specials built for this endurance event. However, they are typically followed by a fleet of support vehicles that bring fuel and parts to help them go the distance. Volkswagen has a team of five special Race-Touaregs in the race. Trailing them will be several Touareg V6 TDIs to provide service.

The service Touaregs will be largely stock carrying the new 225hp 3L V6 diesels are equipped with the standard particulate filters that are on all the new diesel Touaregs. The trucks are capable of carrying 7700 lbs of equipment. The main differences from the production vehicles are larger fuel tanks, all-terrain tires, sand deflectors, roll bars, six-point belts and a special navigation system. The revised second generation Touaregs are being launched in Europe in conjunction with the rally. All diesel Touaregs are now equipped with a maintenance free particulate filters. The VW press release is after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]