Peugeot has had commendable success in the field of motorsports - most recent being the record breaking run at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Now, the French automaker will contest in yet another arena - the Dakar rally.

Unknown to many, Peugeot has a very impressive track record at Dakar, claiming four victories out of four entries at the cross country rally between 1987 and 1990.

The marque has hired top rally aces - Carlos Sainz and Cyril Despres - to pilot its return. Sainz was the event's winner in 2010, while Despres won it five times on his motorcycle. Both of them will take part in the 10,000km rally in the 2008 DKR - a car specially commissioned for the race.

The return to Dakar, no doubt, will further enhance the brand's exposure, after it successfully broke the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record with Sebastien Loeb at the helm of the 208 T16 Pikes Peak.