Diesel-powered Fiat Panda chosen for Dakar race

Two-time WRC champ Miki Biasion could choose a gas- or diesel-powered version of the Fiat Panda to race in the Dakar rally. He took the diesel for "a matter of weight distribution and fuel economy." Choosing the diesel is less of a mystery, however, than choosing the Panda for the brutal Dakar race. It's hardly a household name in off-road racing. But the "little mouse of the dunes" has a few strong points on paper, namely its 3,100-pound weight with 3 spares and 42-gallon fuel tank.

[Source: Michele Lostia & Jonathan Noble / AutoSport]