26/12/2025
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC (TGR W2RC) is ready for the toughest test in motorsports when it aims for another victory in the iconic Dakar Rally, taking place in Saudi Arabia on 3-17 January.
Since its inception in 1979, the Dakar Rally has pushed drivers and vehicles to the limit over unforgiving terrain in an unrivalled contest of skill and endurance. TGR W2RC has exploited the legendary strength of the Toyota Hilux to win the Dakar Rally three times, in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The 2026 Dakar Rally starts and finishes in Yanbu on the Red Sea, covering around 8,000 km, with nearly 5,000 km of competitive action across fast desert dunes, narrow rocky paths, and rugged mountain passes. The route takes in the ancient oasis city of AlUla, the capital Riyadh, a picturesque loop around Wadi Ad-Dawasir, the dunes of Bisha and the riverbeds of Al Henakiyah before returning to Yanbu.
Competitors face two gruelling marathon stages, on 7-8 January and 13-14 January, during which crews receive no external assistance, meaning they sleep alongside their vehicles in standard-issue tents and eat ration packs for meals. Only one rest day is scheduled, in Riyadh on 10 January.
To take on the immense challenge over the 13 stages of the 2026 Dakar Rally, TGR W2RC relies on three examples of its new, stronger DKR GR Hilux, alongside a formidable line-up of drivers and navigators.
Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings won an FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) event for the first time on their way to third in the 2025 drivers’ and navigators’ standings. They will drive the #202 DKR GR Hilux in Saudi, aiming to go one better than their second place in the 2025 edition.
Rising star Seth Quintero, who earned his first W2RC podium finish and a top-10 at the 2025 Dakar, will drive the #203 DKR GR Hilux alongside navigator Andrew Short.
Although Toby Price is a relative rookie on four wheels, he is a Dakar legend following two wins in the bikes category. After making his Dakar Ultimate class debut in 2025 in a privately entered Toyota Hilux, he will drive the #204 DKR GR Hilux alongside Armand Monleón.
An all-new DKR GR Hilux will make its World Championship debut on the Dakar Rally. The newly developed vehicle shares the powerful appearance of the recently-launched ninth generation Hilux and features a new tubular chassis for increased torsional stiffness and reduced weight, plus a new and stronger transmission.
The Dakar Rally is both the opening round and the highlight of the 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship season. A five-event campaign includes events in Portugal (12-22 March), Argentina (24-29 May), Morocco (28 September-3 October), and Abu Dhabi (22-27 November).
Henk Lategan: “After a lot of preparation and hard work from the whole TGR W2RC team, we are excited to get this Dakar started. We have a brand-new DKR GR Hilux, which has shown very promising performance in testing and with Seth on the Baja Dubai, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it can do on the Dakar. Brett and I are going into this event a lot better prepared after a whole season of W2RC behind us. That experience has been invaluable and now we are just eager to see if all the hard work will pay off.”
Seth Quintero: “I feel confident, motivated and ready to race. I have a different feeling just because of the work TGR W2RC has put into the car and into me. I’m really excited to get behind the wheel of the new DKR GR Hilux and explore new possibilities. I’ve already seen the speed from testing, and it is confidence-inspiring. We’ve got an amazing team with amazing team-mates. I’m sure we’ll be fighting with each other at the front, but we are good friends, so it’s going to be fun.”
Toby Price: “I’m excited for Dakar 2026. Working with Armand in the car has been great, it’s a really good match, and I’m looking forward to racing in the Dakar alongside him. It’s the biggest event on our calendar so we want to deliver a good, strong performance. The mechanics and everyone behind the scenes have been working super hard to get the new car ready, and now it’s up to us to do the job. My bags have been packed for a few weeks now, so I’m excited to get underway.”
Technical Specifications: 2026 DKR GR HILUX
Engine: V35A production engine (from Land Cruiser 300)
Engine Type: Twin turbo, petrol
Power: 264 kW @ 5,300 rpm
Torque: 620 Nm
Transmission: Sadev 6-speed, sequential shift
Differential: All limited slip (front, centre, rear)
Clutch: Ceramic twin plate, 215 mm
Construction: Tubular frame
Overall Weight: 2,010 kg, FIA regulated minimum dry weight
Body: Toyota Hilux Double Cab Pick-Up, full composite
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, 350 mm travel
Rear Suspension: Double wishbone, 350 mm travel
Wheels: Evo Course, 17 inches
Tyres: BF Goodrich, 37 inches
Fuel Tank: FT3 safety cell, 540 litres
