This is the McRae Enduro, an all-new diesel-powered cross-country rally car developed by a team including former rally champions Jimmy McRae and his son Alistair.

The Enduro is designed as an ‘affordable’ option for newcomers to cross-country rallying, assuming you find 150,000 euros affordable, that is. However, that price buys you a vehicle that complies with the FIA’s stringent T1 regulations, making it eligible for Baja-type events, and even the Dakar.

Engineered from scratch by MDV Specialist Engineering, the car has a tubular space-frame chassis and a drivetrain featuring a six-speed manual ZF transmission with non-variable limited-slip rear and centre diffs. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 diesel – fundamentally the unit used by Land Rover and Jaguar – that weighs a nimble-for-an-oil-burner 200kg. Tuned by Roush it puts out 240bhp and a massive 383lb ft of torque.

In 2008 the car will also be the basis for a new single-make rally series, the Pirelli McRae Enduro Trofeo, which will comprise three FIA World Cup events and three from the FIA Baja series. With a single control tyre keeping the playing field level, the series will offer ‘arrive and drive’ packages for drivers who simply want to focus on the racing.