VW wins 2007 FIA Cross-Country Rally
World Cup

Volkswagen has won the 2007 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup, after Carlos Sainz and Michel Périn finished second in their TDI-powered Race Touareg in the UAE Desert Challenge on Friday Nov 2, securing the championship title.

Sainz is the second Volkswagen driver in three years to win the title; the accolade is a unique addition to the two World Rally Championship crowns he already holds. It is also the sixth FIA co-driver title for Périn.

Sainz and Périn crossed the Dubai finish line 12 minutes behind the winning Mitsubishi of Stephane Peterhansel, with the Volkswagen of Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz placing third overall.

The UAE Desert Challenge was the final dress rehearsal before January's Dakar Rally, which will be contested by five Race Touaregs, driven by Sainz, de Villiers, Mark Miller and Dieter Depping, plus a customer team-run machine driven by Carlos Sousa.

Further details in the December issue of Volkswagen Driver magazine.