The Dakar Rally is known for being one of the toughest and most demanding races in the world. Just participating in it is a huge achievement, and in January 2025, Dacia will make its debut in this legendary event.
The Dacia team aims to do their best in the Ultimate T1+ category, but their vehicle, the Sandrider, is anything but modest. The purpose-built, all-black rally car is ready to take on the harsh desert dunes with confidence.
Though Dacia is new to Dakar, Renault Group and Prodrive are no strangers to motorsport. The Sandrider, designed by Prodrive, has an intimidating look with its exposed carbon-fibre frame and tubular chassis. It's based on the Dacia Manifesto concept from 2022, focusing on function rather than style.
The vehicle features anti-reflective paint on the dashboard to improve visibility and special pigments in the body panels that help keep the cabin cool - a patent has already been filed for this innovation.
The Sandrider is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 360 horsepower at 5,000 rmp and 539 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm. The engine is a familiar one – it’s the same Nissan VR30DDTT found in the 400Z sports car, which is also related to the engine in the Nissan GT-R.
The engine is mounted in a front-mid position and features a dry sump system and stock internals, with an upgraded forced induction system for added performance.
The car is equipped with a 6-speed sequential transmission from Sadev, 37-inch tyres from BF Goodrich, and Alcon brakes and clutch. The suspension is handled by Reiger, and the synthetic fuel is supplied by Aramco.
The Sandrider's interior reflects the same no-nonsense approach. Instead of luxurious features, the vehicle has seatbelt seats made from anti-bacterial fabric that helps regulate humidity, and special attenuators developed by Prodrive to absorb impact. The dashboard is modular, allowing the driver and co-driver to adjust it to their needs, and both have dedicated navigation systems to stay on track.
Dacia's team for Dakar is supported by a well-organised logistics operation, with 62 staff members and 25 support vehicles. These include five specialised trucks, three vans, nine motorhomes, a Duster, a Nissan Navara, and a Toyota Land Cruiser. The trucks carry everything from tents and supplies to tyres and a 350-litre water tank – even washing machines to handle the desert dust.
Before the big event, the Sandrider was put to the test at Millbrook proving ground in the UK and in the South of France. The true test came at the Rallye du Maroc in October 2024, a crucial lead-up to Dakar.
The Sandrider finished impressively with a one-two result in its first race, but the team remains humble. With drivers like Sébastien Loeb, Cristina Gutierrez Herrero, and Nasser Al-Attiyah, the team is focused on doing their best in January.
The Rallye du Maroc highlighted the Sandrider’s speed and revealed a few areas for improvement, especially in cooling systems. The team has worked to address these issues and is refining the vehicle to be ready for Dakar.
While the 2025 Dakar Rally will be Dacia’s first time at such a high-profile event, the team’s mindset and the Sandrider’s design show they’re ready. With early success in Morocco, they’re focused on refining their approach and are determined to take on the challenge of Dakar. Winning would be a dream come true, especially for a debut effort.
