Renault-owned Dacia has committed to a two-year program to compete in the Dakar Rally from 2025, with a prototype vehicle built for the T1+ class, jointly developed by Renault and Prodrive. The team has already signed up a heavy-hitting driving squad, with Sebastien Loeb, Christina Gutierrez Herrero and multiple Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah.
Technical details of the Sandrider are sparse, but the car will doubtless draw considerably on Prodrive’s recent experience with the Hunter, which came tantalizingly close to an overall win at the 2024 event.
According to Dacia, weight saving is a key target for the new car: “The overall weight of the Sandrider has been cut by around 15kg in relation to comparable prototypes.” Aero efficiency will also be subject to extensive optimization and Dacia is claiming a reduction in drag and lift of 10% and 40% respectively, again relative to a comparable prototype (though not explicitly stated, one could assume the Hunter is its benchmark). Power will be provided by a 3-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engine from Nissan, running on synthetic fuel from Aramco.
One interesting detail in Dacia’s launch information is that ‘anti-infrared’ pigments will be integrated into the carbon-composite body panels, a process that is reportedly being patented.
Testing of the car will commence shortly and its competition debut is planned for the Rally du Maroc 2024 in October.
Dacia Sandrider initial specifications
- FIA class: Ultimate T1+
- Chassis: tubular
- Body: carbon fiber
- Engine: V6, 3 liters, twin-turbo, direct injection
- Maximum power: 265kW/360bhp at 5,000rpm
- Maximum torque: 539Nm at 4,250rpm
- Transmission: 4X4
- Gearbox: 6-speed sequential
- Front/rear suspension: double wishbone
- Suspension travel: 350mm
- Wheels: 17in aluminum
- Tires: BF Goodrich, 37in
- Length x width x height: 4,140 x 2,290 x 1,810mm
- Wheelbase: 3,000mm
- Front/rear overhang: 590/550mm
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