DACIA is to compete as a manufacturer in the World Rally-Raid Championship as of 2025 culminating in the legendary Dakar, the ultimate test of endurance and robustness.

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

Dacia has recruited nine-time French rally world champion Sebastien Loeb and Spanish rally driver Cristina Gutierrez Herrero as its drivers and the car for the Dakar will run on synthetic test fuel supplied by Aramco.

The race car will be developed in conjunction with British motorsport and engineering group Prodrive in conjunction with Dacia's in-house team of engineers.

Before taking up the challenge of the 2025 season, Dacia prototypes will be put to the test in 2024 at the Rallye du Maroc.

Denis Le Vot, chief executive of Dacia, said: "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."

Dacia, part of the Renault Group, launched in the UK in January 2013 and had the most successful start ever for a new car brand in the UK. More than 250,000 Dacia vehicles have been sold in the UK to date.