Dacia Sandrider

Dacia Sandrider
Dacia Sandrider at the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show
Overview
Manufacturer	Dacia
Production	2024–present
Body and chassis
Class	Rally raid
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,000 mm (118.1 in)
Length	4,140 mm (163.0 in)
Width	2,290 mm (90.2 in)
Height	1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	No predecessor

The Dacia Sandrider is an off-road competition car, built by Dacia together with Prodrive to participate in various competitions in the rally raid. It has been used in the FIA Ultimate T1+ class since the end of 2024 at Rallye du Maroc for the first time.

Specifications

The Sandrider is visually based on the Dacia Manifesto SUV concept car, but was technically developed by Prodrive together with Renault-Alpine and Dacia. Dacia stressed that the Sandrider is not a redesigned Prodrive Hunter. Unlike the Prodrive Hunter, the Sandrider has, among other things, a new engine from the Nissan Z 3.0L V6 twin turbo,a new chassis and suspension, and a fully redesigned body. The Sandrider consists of a carbon body on a tubular frame chassis with a reinforced subframe and reinforced shock absorbers and suspension with double wishbones. It has a sequential 6-speed gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive on 37×12.5 R17 BF Goodrich and 350 mm suspension travel. ^{[1] [2]}

Competition history

The Dacia Sandrider made its rally raid debut at the Rallye du Maroc 2024. There, Nasser Al-Attiyah won, Sebastien Loeb came in second and Cristina Gutiérrez 82nd. ^[3]

Dacia competes with three vehicles in the 2025 Dakar Rally and in the entire 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship season. Al-Attiyah, Loeb and Gutiérrez continue as drivers. ^[1] At the 2025 Dakar Rally, Loeb was forced to retire early on after he flipped his car, causing damage to the roll cage that the organizers deemed structural. Meanwhile, Gutiérrez was also taken out of contention due to a technical defect. ^[4] Only Al-Attiyah was classified, placing fourth overall after winning the ninth stage. ^{[5] [6]}

References

1. "Dacia Sandrider Concept (2024) - pictures, information & specs". NetCarShow.com. 30 January 2024.
2. Machado, Virgilio (6 June 2024). "Dacia Sandrider successfully passed the first tests before the premiere". autogear.pt.
3. Nebbia, Cesare (28 November 2024). "Dacia: il prossimo obiettivo è la Dakar 2025". alvolante.it (in Italian).
4. "Big crashes and impossible fixes: The Dakar's toughest challenges". Red Bull. 1 January 2025.
5. "Yazeed Al-Rajhi Records Historic Dakar Rally Triumph". Barrons. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
6. Brunsdon, Stephen (19 January 2025). "How Dakar's new champion vanquished his illustrious rivals". DirtFish. Retrieved 20 January 2025.