Maximilian Loder and his brother Laurence are building a second Puch 280GE for the 2027 Dakar Classic. It will partner with the one they piloted to a 75th in January’s race.

The Loder brothers returned to the Classic in January, making their second start after finishing 47th in 2024. However, 2026 proved to be more of a challenge as their Puch was plagued by a myriad of mechanical issues such as a broken damper mounting point, damaged shocks, a bent axle after landing in a hole, and fuel not properly going into the car when driving as higher RPMs. Despite everything, they managed to reach the finish 75th overall and 58th for cars.

“A good thing is that when the car is running and we are fit, we are able to drive in the top league—not within the first ten, but at least within the top 20,” said Max at the final bivouac in Yanbu. “That encouraged us to continue. We are starting to build a second car. The car will be for us too, and we will improve it with every information we have now.”

The 280GE is perhaps better known as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, though the Puch name was also used in some markets like Austria. The Loders built their 280GE as a tribute to their father Josef, who drove one in the 1985 Paris–Dakar Rally as a rapid assistance vehicle for the BMW Motorrad bike team that went on to win with Gaston Rahier.

Josef’s car was a two-door model of which only 200 were ever produced, meaning procuring one like it was basically impossible for Max and Laurence. Instead, they converted a four-door Puch with input from former BMW team members. Even the livery from their dad’s version was replicated, albeit with delta4×4 logos instead of Marlboro. Josef also joined his sons for the second half of the Classic.

While their Classic entry is done under the banner of their company delta4×4, 2026 was the first year where they were a fully independent operation. As part of the new arrangement, they also got their hands on a MAN service truck that’s raced the Dakar Rally 14 times and a Volkswagen Amarok and Mercedes Sprinter as extra support and media cars.

“If you think about joining us or joining the Dakar, be aware that it’s not an easy thing to do,” Max continued. “But it’s a fun thing to do and once in a lifetime.”

Inquiries about joining the team for next year’s Classic, whether in the new Puch or in one’s own vehicle, can be made to AM@delta4x4.com.

Featured image credit: Aurélien Vialatte / ASO