In January 2021 Frenchman Christian Lavieille will tackle the Dakar Rally behind the wheel of a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive Optimus buggy. It’s a big change to the diesel Toyota Land Cruiser he’s been so successful in over the last few years. Together with co-driver Jean-Pierre Garcin, Lavieille was testing in the southern French facility of Fontjoncouse. Our media crew was there to capture his first impressions.
![CHRISTIAN LAVIEILLE: “THE OPTIMUS IS A CAR BUILT TO DO ONE THING – RACE THE DAKAR RALLY”](https://d23zpyj32c5wn3.cloudfront.net/images/masonry_bricks/pictures/61546/big/20201125_MDrallye_test_lavieille_0037.jpg?1606992199)