NO LIMIT

Dacia has decided to take on the world's most famous and most challenging hill climb – the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb – with a purpose-built 850hp prototype, Dacia Duster 'No Limit', driven by three-time Trophée Andros champion Jean-Philippe Dayraut.

Launched in April 2010, the sixth vehicle of the brand's line-up, the Duster off-roader, was an immediate hit and sales to date have reached almost 127,000 vehicles worldwide. The model has also become the star of the brand's motorsport activities, taking part in competitions like France's Trophée Andros ice-racing series with Alain Prost (two runner-up titles), the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles (2nd and 3rd places in 2011) and, very soon, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Dacia Duster 'No Limit' is an exceptional, extremely powerful car. It was purpose built by teams from Tork Engineering (design, production, assembly, development) and Sodemo (engine), in association with Renault Sport Technologies, which brought its unique motorsport expertise to the table, as well as the supply of certain components.

The racing car complies with the specific regulations of the American competition's 'Unlimited' class which sets no upper limit on the size or power output of the engine. There is no minimum weight, any tyres may be used and there are no restrictions concerning either the transmission system or aerodynamics.

Beneath its glass-fibre outer skin, Dacia Duster 'No Limit' conceals a powerful 850hp engine specially built by Sodemo and based on the Nissan GT-R's VR 38 DETT block (3.8-litre V6). The powerplant has been tuned to deliver maximum performance despite the high altitudes visited by the course which starts at 2,860 metres and finishes at 4,300 metres.
The engine is mated to a sequential six-speed Sadev gearbox specially developed to cope with so much power, while at the same time ensuring quick, precise gearshifts.



The sort of aerodynamic package featured on this vehicle was developed in the wind tunnel and the rear wings are especially impressive.




Jean-Philippe Dayraut has long dreamed of contesting the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in such an exceptional car. The Colorado-based event calls for impeccable traction, despite the fact that grip varies as the half-asphalt/half-dirt course surfaces switches from one type of surface to the other. Only professional drivers with experience of circuit racing and competing on loose surfaces (gravel, ice) can hope to figure at the top of the order. With no fewer than six French titles in single-seater and touring car racing  and three Trophée Andros crowns – including the last one – to his name, so the french driver is ideally qualified for the mission.