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Over 40 years of Toyota at the Dakar Rally

Extreme terrains and terrific speeds. We’ve never been able to resist the allure of Dakar, the world’s toughest race. Now part of the World Rally-Raid Championship (WRRC), success at Dakar is about more than just speed. Quality, durability and reliability are vital factors. And that’s why we compete in our endless pursuit to make ever better cars not just for sport. Toyota’s legendary toughness will once again be put on display with our all-new Dakar challenger, the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+, which will compete across the 2022 FIA WRRC. Bigger, stronger and tougher, the new Hilux model will be vehicle of choice for the four-crew TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team, including Nasser Al-Attiyah who proved the tenacity of the Toyota Hilux in winning the Dakar Rally in 2019, as well as finishing second in 2021.

TOYOTA AT DAKAR

Following a successful Dakar Rally in 2021, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and TOYOTA AUTO BODY have entered a total of 6 crews in this year’s Dakar Rally taking place on the 1st-14th January 2022. The teams consist of a mix of experienced specialists and some new blood to the rally-raid world.

DAKAR 2022

Current and past rally activities

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“We will continue to make ever-better cars by traversing the wide variety of roads and terrains across the world.”

Akio Toyoda

Not just for sport

Tested in the harshest environments by the most dedicated professionals. We take all the learnings and expertise from the Dakar Rally and bring it to your driveway. From the desert dunes to city hills, the new Hilux pushes the limits in the pursuit of making ever better cars.

FORGED AT DAKAR

  • Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+

    Toyota Dakar Hilux features a mid-engine layout, larger air restrictor, bigger running gear and revised suspension set up, which provides it with excellent levels of balance and handling.

    •                 Mid-mounted 5L V6 engine

    •                 Power : 298 kW / Torque: 660NM

    •                 Sadev 6-speed sequential shift

    •                 All-wheel drive

Meet The Toyota Gazoo Racing Dakar Rally Team

Team 1, Car 201:

  • Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar), Driver

    Career Highlights:

    Dakar Rally Winner (2011, 2015, 2019) and runner-up in 2021
     
    FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Winner (2008, 2015, 2016, 2017)

  • Mathieu Baumel (France), Navigator

    Career Highlights:

    Dakar Rally Winner (2015, 2019) and runner-up in 2021
     
    FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Winner (2015, 2016, 2017)

Team 2, Car 207:

  • Giniel de Villiers (South Africa), Driver

    Career Highlights:
     
    Dakar Rally Winner (2009)
     
    Rally of Morocco Winner (2003, 2006, 2007, 2019)
  • Dennis Murphy (South Africa), Navigator

    Career Highlights:
     
    South African Cross-Country Navigator Champion (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018)

Team 3, Car 225:

  • Henk Lategan (South Africa), Driver

    Career Highlights:

    South African Cross-Country Champion (2019, 2020)
  • Brett Cummings (South Africa), Navigator

    Career Highlights:

    South African Cross-Country Navigator Champion (2019, 2020)
     
    3rd in Malle Moto, Dakar 2014

Team 4, Car 233:

  • Shameer Variwa (South Africa), Driver

    Career Highlights:

    South African Off-Road Champion (2000)
  • Danie Stassen (South Africa), Navigator

    Career Highlights:

    South African Cross-Country Navigator Champion (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)

Find your next adventure

  • Toyota Dakar Land Cruiser

    • 4.4 L V8 diesel engine
    • Power 300 HP / Torque 800 NM
    • 6 speed automatic transmission
    • Full time 4 wheel drive

Meet The Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body

Team 1, Car 242:

  • Akira Miura (Japan), Driver

    Career Highlights:

    Dakar Rally T2 category Winner (2007, 2009 and 2018) and 2nd (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020)

    Andalucia Rally T2 category Winner (2020)

  • Laurent Lichtleuchter (France), Navigator

    Career Highlights:

    Dakar Rally T2 category Winner (2016) and 2nd (2018, 2019 and 2020)

    Andalucia Rally T2 category Winner (2020)

Team 2, Car 245:

  • Ronald Basso (France), Driver

    Career Highlights:

    Multiple Dakar Rally participations (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

    Andalucia Rally T2 category 2nd (2020)

  • Jean Michel Polato (France), Navigator

    Career Highlights:

    Multiple Dakar Rally participations (2001, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020)

Leave no land uncruised

Why compete in the toughest race?

News on Toyota Gazoo Racing

  • Toyota GAZOO RACING website

  • Toyota newsroom