With a month-and-a-half remaining until the start of the 2015 Dakar, the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR presented its official colour scheme.

After spending seven months robed in black, the French engineers’ creation has now swapped its carbon finish for a far racier look based on a combination of blue, white and red which confirms that its competitive debut is imminent.

“It looks far more aggressive like this,” observes Cyril Despres who is unaccustomed to such stylish colour schemes on such a big surface area of bodywork. Meanwhile, Stéphane Peterhansel was swift to note the practical side of the design for him and his co-driver. “The fact that the part around the cockpit has been finished in white is an excellent way to protect us from the heat. I’ve competed in a car with a black roof and I can tell you that it makes a big difference.”