Dacia will race Dakar! Would the rally car also be a budget car?

Dacia is perhaps the most likeable brand on the Dutch car market, so we’re already sitting in front of Eurosport with a Romanian flag in hand. Why? Because Dacia will drive the Dakar Rally in 2025.

“Dacia and Dakar are a perfect match,” says CEO Denis Le Vot. By that he probably means that the Duster is used as a real workhorse in many countries. In France you can often see them driving around with black bumpers and steel wheels. Absolutely correct.

Dacia takes part in the Dakar with synthetic fuel

In addition, Le Vot says he is dedicated to participating in the Dakar Rally [van Dacia] too low CO2 emissions”. Now we think it would be better for the planet not to race in the desert, but ok…

Le Vot points out that Dacia will use synthetic fuel in the Dakar Rally. In addition, the Romanian budget brand will not only compete in Saudi Arabia, but also participate in the World Rally Raid Championship.

Cooperation with the British specialist Prodrive

Dacia hasn’t announced anything yet about the cars it will venture into the desert with. All we know is that they were developed in collaboration with Prodrive and will make their debut in 2024 at the Rallye du Maroc.

The nine-time WRC winner gets behind the wheel

At the wheel will be rally legend Sébastien Loeb – who has won the WRC an impressive nine times in a row – and his Extreme E teammate Cristina Gutierrez Herrero. She is Spanish Rally Champion, has competed in the Dakar Rally seven times and won the Extreme E title alongside Loeb in 2022.

Kick off January with the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia

The next Dakar Rally will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 5th to 19th. This year, victory went to Nasser Al-Attiyah in his Toyota Hilux. He also stood on the highest scaffolding in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2022.