The 2011 model year sees a new addition to the Matchbox stables, the Dune Dog. Modeled after the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, the Dune Dog gets ready to tackle the harshest environments. Now, I do feel that the name 'Dune Dog' might be better suited to, well, a dune buggy or that sort of thing, I suppose that it is well suited to certain arid lands. Oh, but it is also suited to so much more. Matchbox has fitted a roof rack with all the requisite survival gear, a water tank, gas can, duffel bag, cooler and even a chainsaw. Mounted to the front of the rook rack are four HID lights, sure to light up the cold desert nights. The roof rack can also be easily removed to give the truck a nice open feel for the more casual wheeling expeditions. The engine has been fitted with a snorkel for those hazardous desert river crossings. The hood has been vented to keep the engine bay as cool as possible to keep performance at a maximum. The Dune Dog has had all of the glass removed to save weight (who wants broken glass all over anyway) so make sure you bring your sunglasses to keep the sand out of your eyes. More survival kit is mounted one either side of the SUV, where you can find a fire extinguisher as well as an ax and shovel. Helping to keep sand and mud out of your face is some nice large fender flares, though they do little to cover the massive Matchbox 44's that hold this desert beast high up off the ground. I do like the lazy dog sleeping in the back of the truck, and I love the fact that they went as far as to include a water bowl for him in the cargo rack. At the end of a long day racing about in the desert, one thing is certain, the 2011 MBX Desert Endurance Race has met a rugged new competitor that looks to be, truly, ready for anything.
