SsangYong Completes Best Stage in Dakar Rally

SsangYong Completes Best Stage in Dakar Rally

Korean car brand SsangYong is firing on all cylinders as it completed the grueling fifth stage of this year’s Dakar Rally. SsangYong’s entry, a Korando DKR, finished a stage in the 29th position for the second day in a row, helping the team retain the 24th spot overall. With the good showing, the Ssangyong Motorsport team only needs to make up for four spots to enter into the top 20.

©media.ssangyonggb.co.uk
The Korando DKR is being commandeered by two Spanish professional drivers, the Madrid-born Oscar Fuertes and his Galician co-driver Diego Vallejo. The Spanish duo praised their Korando DKR’s performance in the first special in this Saudi edition made up of many kilometers of sand and dunes. “It’s been a very tough stage and we’ve done it very well,” Fuentes said. “The Korando DKR is really daring.” “We took it to the limit at full throttle, every second, bump after bump, and the car didn’t complain at all, not even a bit,” he added. “Today we’ve raced a hell of a stage.” Five hours and two minutes was all the time that the SsangYong Motorsport duo needed complete Stage 5’s 353 km-long trek, slightly over one hour behind the stage winner, Carlos Sainz. The problem-free trip puts SsangYong in a tight fight against a group of drivers to enter into the top 20.
©media.ssangyonggb.co.uk
The Korando DKR retains the fifth position in the T1.3 category (gasoline two-wheel drive modified vehicle), and its drivers are the third best-classified Spaniards in the race, only behind Sainz and Fernando Alonso. Fuertes and Vallejo have already clocked in a total of 23 hours, 47 minutes and 39 seconds in the first five stages of the rally, an average of almost five hours’ racing a day.
©media.ssangyonggb.co.uk
“We’re having a lot of fun, basically because the Korando DKR is awesome. The truth is we’re exhausted, because it’s been many hours and you feel tiredness building up from the previous days,” assesses the Madrid-born driver. “However, after such a great stage, we’re very happy.” The locally sold Korando is powered by a choice of 1.5-liter turbo gasoline (163 hp and 280 Nm) or 1.6-liter diesel (136 hp and 324 Nm). The vehicle, a 2020 model, comes in three different trims:  the Korando 1.5T Sport (gasoline), the Korando 1.6D Sport (diesel), and the Korando 1.6D Premium (diesel). Pricing for the vehicle is as follows:

Ssangyong Korando 1.5T Sport  PHP 1,290,000
Ssangyong Korando 1.6D Sport PHP 1,578,000
Ssangyong Korando 1.6D Premium PHP 1,770,000

Also read: MINI to Compete in 2019 Dakar Rally with MINI John Cooper Works Buggy
Mitsubishi to Compete in 2019 Dakar Rally with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • LTO all set for Undas
    LTO all set for Undas
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • 2025 RAM 1500 Rebel to reach PH soil next month
    2025 RAM 1500 Rebel to reach PH soil next month
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • WATCH: Lexus highlights TX SUV in new ‘Wicked’ short video
    WATCH: Lexus highlights TX SUV in new ‘Wicked’ short video
    Paulo Papa . Oct 30, 2024
  • Suzuki PH extends help to Typhoon Kristine-struck customers with special discount
    Suzuki PH extends help to Typhoon Kristine-struck customers with special discount
    Paulo Papa . Oct 30, 2024
  • Kia enters pick-up truck segment with Tasman introduction
    Kia enters pick-up truck segment with Tasman introduction
    Ruben Manahan IV . Oct 30, 2024
  • Spooky journeys: scariest places to drive in PH
    Spooky journeys: scariest places to drive in PH
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • 5 scary things owners can find in their car
    5 scary things owners can find in their car
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Let’s take a peek inside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
    Let’s take a peek inside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
    Cesar Miguel . Oct 30, 2024
  • 9th PIMS: Aftermarket products are a-plenty
    9th PIMS: Aftermarket products are a-plenty
    Cesar Miguel . Oct 29, 2024
  • Here are concept cars that were showcased at the 9th PIMS
    Here are concept cars that were showcased at the 9th PIMS
    Cesar Miguel . Oct 29, 2024
  • Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 08, 2024
  • Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Paulo Papa . Jan 03, 2024
  • PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    Paulo Papa . Dec 15, 2023
  • Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Hazel Nicole Carreon . Dec 15, 2023
  • Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Paulo Papa . Nov 14, 2023
  • MG 3 Hybrid Plus: Quick and practical
    MG 3 Hybrid Plus: Quick and practical
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Toyota Avanza G CVT: Dashingly dependable
    Toyota Avanza G CVT: Dashingly dependable
    Paulo Papa . Oct 14, 2024
  • 2022 Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT Honda SENSING: one of sedan segment's major thrusters
    2022 Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT Honda SENSING: one of sedan segment's major thrusters
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 25, 2024
  • GAC Emkoo Hybrid: Peppy, efficient powerhouse for the price-conscious
    GAC Emkoo Hybrid: Peppy, efficient powerhouse for the price-conscious
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 23, 2024
  • MG ZS Luxury: Stylish yet accessible
    MG ZS Luxury: Stylish yet accessible
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 23, 2024