Dacia to Enter Dakar Rally From 2025 Using Synthetic Fuel

Renault's Dacia brand has confirmed that from 2025, it will compete as a manufacturer in the World Rally-Raid Championship, including in the Dakar Rally. The Dacia prototype will run on synthetic test fuel supplied by the energy giant Aramco.

Its synthetic fuel solutions are produced by combining renewable hydrogen with captured CO₂, resulting in a lower-carbon fuel compatible with today’s engines.

Dacia says the Dakar Rally is the ideal testing ground for this technology.

From 2024, including during the test phases, nine-time French rally world champion Sébastien Loeb and Spanish rally driver Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero will officially race for Dacia.

The Dakar has brought together more than 60 nationalities and 500 adventurers for a unique competition every year, for over 40 years.

Denis Le Vot, CEO of Dacia, says: “Dacia and Dakar are a perfect match! Not only is this a test of Dacia's true robustness, but it is also a showing of our commitment to low-carbon mobility. We are very excited to take part in Dakar with synthetic fuel technology. Dacia, alongside the best team and drivers in the game, are serious contenders for the rally.”

Born in 1968, Dacia was relaunched by Renault Group from 2004 across Europe and Mediterranean countries.