Dacia has revealed initial details of its Sandrider rally-raid machine that will bid for overall honours in the Ultimate T1+ class at next year’s Dakar.
The Prodrive-built car will be powered by a 3-litre V6 twin-turbo engine with direct injection, producing a maximum power output of 360bhp to traverse the Saudi Arabian desert.
It will have four-by-four drive, with a six-speed sequential gearbox and double wishbone suspension at the front and rear. Suspension travel will reach 350mm over the dunes and the car will run on BF Goodrich 37-inch tyres. Dacia and Prodrive have put emphasis on weight distribution towards the front in a quest for optimal traction.
The Sandrider will run on synthetic fuel from Aramco that combines hydrogen with sequestered carbon dioxide to reduce carbon emissions. Unlike the Audi RS Q e-tron that won this year’s Dakar, the Dacia does not have an electrified powertrain. Dacia says that the aerodynamics are being developed with fuel efficiency in mind, claiming a 10 per cent reduction in drag and 40 per cent less lift compared to similar rally-raid prototypes. It has also focused on keeping the car light, utilising a tubular chassis and carbon fibre body panels.
Render of Dacia Sandrider interior. The vehicle will be 4.14 metres long and 2.29m high with a 3m wheelbase (Dacia)
The design shown in render images is no-frills, but demonstrates Dacia’s aim to propound its road car brand philosophy of essentialism. Ergonomic features for ...