In 2025, the Dacia brand will join the competition in the World Rally Championship and will compete as a manufacturer in the Dakar Rally for the top honors in the T1+ car category. From 2024, also in the testing phase, Dacia will be driven by nine-time world rally champion Frenchman Sebastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero.
“This will not only be a test of Dacia’s endurance, but also a proof of our commitment to low-emission mobility. We are very pleased that we will participate in the Dakar rally in a car running on synthetic fuel. The Dacia brand, its top team and top ranked drivers will be the clear favorites in the rally, said Denis Le Vot, President of Dacia.
Dacia launches factory program
The Dacia brand has confirmed that it will compete in the manufacturer’s category in the World Rally Championship from 2025, culminating in the Dakar Rally, which will test the strength and reliability of the car’s design. Synonymous with big adventures for more than 40 years, the Dakar Rally brings together 500 participants from more than 60 countries every year. This is a one of a kind event.
The Dacia rally model runs on synthetic fuel. It is also a gamble under the slogan “what we need, but cool”, which is guided by an ambitious goal and the assumption that we do not need too much.
The Dakar Rally will be a testing ground where brand ideas will be put to the test. It will also be an opportunity to test and validate new smart solutions that are brand specific, i.e. outdoor functionality and alternative power sources.
Prior to the start of the 2025 season, Dacia prototypes will be tested at the 2024 Rally Morocco.
Dacia establishes cooperation with a technical partner
In this project, Dacia will draw on the experience of the Renault Group and the British automotive company Prodrive, known for its extensive experience in the development of off-road prototypes.
For nearly 40 years, the Prodrive team has been a major player on the global motorsport scene, supporting brands in winning championship titles.
Prodrive has been preparing for the Dakar Rally and Rallycross since 2020. In the last three competitions, Sebastien Loeb has driven cars designed and maintained by the Prodrive team. The French driver, who finished second in the rally standings in 2022 and 2023, is now part of the new Dacia team.
Famous Dacia drivers
Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero became the first Spaniard to compete in the automotive category and finish in the 2017 Dakar Rally. From 2017 to 2023, 31-year-old Herrero competed in seven stages of the Dakar Rally and has been the undisputed champion of Spain in rally-raids (women’s category) since 2012.
49-year-old French driver Sebastien Loeb became the world rally champion for nine years in a row, from 2004 to 2012. One of the most successful drivers in motorsport, he is considered the best rally driver of all time.
Sebastien Loeb has been participating in the Dakar Rally since 2016. Since 2021, he has participated in the Dakar Rally driving the Bahrain Raid Xtreme Hunter, designed and maintained by the British Prodrive team.
Synthetic fuel prototype
The Dacia prototype will run on synthetic fuel produced by Aramco, a world leader in the energy and chemical industries.
Aramco synthetic fuels are produced using renewable energy sources (hydrogen) with CO2 capture, resulting in a low carbon fuel compatible with modern engines.
Source: Wprost
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