This represents the greatest technological leap in the Toyota Dakar Program’s history since 2011.
Toyota has officially entered the 2022 Dakar Rally. The prototype stage of the off-road racer, named the GR DKR Hilux T1+ has been completed. It will continue to develop until the prestigious Off-road Motorsports Event, which is scheduled for January 2, in Saudi Arabia.
The twin-turbo 3.5 liter V6 engine, found in the Toyota GR Hilux, powers the Dakar-bound Toyota GR Hilux.
J300 Land Cruiser Sport . The power plant produces 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts) & 487 pound-feet (666 Newton-meters).
Although the V35A V6 is lighter and more powerful than the Hilux rally racer, Toyota stated that the truck’s overall weight has increased to 4,409 lbs (2,000 kg) in accordance with the new motorsport regulations.
Toyota also revealed some details about the new Dakar racer. The suspension travel has been increased from 280mm to 350mm, while BF Goodrich tires are larger and more wide.
The GR DKR Hilux T1+ racing car features Toyota’s new Gazoo Racing livery. This was used by the automaker for both World Endurance Championship as well as World Rally Championship. The truck will enter the 2022 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
Toyota will enter the 2022 Dakar Rally in four new GR DKRT1+ Hilux models. They will be led by Nasser Al Attiyah from Qatar and Mathieu Baumel, their French co-driver. Dakar Rally winners Giniel De Villiers and Dennis Murphy, as well as South Africans Henk Latergan and Brett Cummings, will be returning for Toyota. Shameer Variawa will be driving the final truck in the fleet with Danie Stassen as co-driver.
Toyota will continue development of the GR DKR Hilux T1+. The final test will be conducted in South Africa, before shipment to Saudi Arabia in December.