The 2026 Dakar Rally will see the debut of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s much anticipated Toyota DKR GR Hilux. The team will field three of them for the returning Henk Lategan and Seth Quintero as well as newcomer Toby Price.

“It’s always exciting to be part of a new project, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what the all-new Toyota DKR GR Hilux can do in full competition trim,” said Lategan. He finished runner-up in the 2025 Dakar.

Unlike its predecessor, which was built in South Africa by SVR, the new Hilux is European-rooted. Belgian-based partner Overdrive Racing developed the prototype under Christian Loriaux and former SVR owner Glyn Hall.

The 2026 Hilux has a new tubular chassis that increases torsional stiffness and durability, but is also lighter than the previous model. The chassis is also wider to better compare with other T1+ cars and accommodate incoming changes like new technology inspired by the HySE project. It also comes with a reinforced transmission. The 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 engine remains the same.

In July, TGR sporting director Jean-Marc Fortin explained the new Hilux likely won’t be a contender right away, and rather is a “demonstrator model” to test the new tech. Thus, 2027 and 2028 are expected to be when the Hilux is fully ready to vie for victory.

Toyota has won the World Rally-Raid Championship’s manufacturer title every year since the series’ inception in 2022. Despite the success, Fortin noted the current Hilux was built for the 2019 Dakar and could be improved upon.

TGR hopes to begin selling the 2026 Hilux to privateers “in the second half of 2026.”

Featured image credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing