High-performance adapted vehicle for Dakar 2026

Isidre Esteve is set to take on Dakar 2026 with the new DKR GR Hilux, a competition vehicle developed by Toyota and adapted by Guidosimplex to enable fully hand-operated driving. The prototype complies with current FIA regulations for the Ultimate category (formerly T1+), the most technically demanding class of the Dakar Rally.

A prototype aligned with FIA Ultimate regulations
The DKR GR Hilux is powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine and has been engineered to meet the latest FIA requirements for dimensions, weight, and performance. The vehicle arrives at Dakar 2026 after being crowned World Rally-Raid Champion, with victories in South Africa, Portugal, and Morocco, underlining its competitiveness in long-distance events and extreme terrain.

The car will race in the colors of the Repsol Toyota Rally Team and represents a clear step forward in dynamic performance, reliability, and suitability for the demands of rally-raid competition.

Technical adaptation for hand-only driving
A core element of the project is the hand-control system developed by Guidosimplex. The steering wheel integrates a front accelerator operated with the palms of the hands and a rear braking system activated with the fingertips. This configuration allows Esteve to compete at the highest level despite paraplegia, while maintaining precise vehicle control in high-load situations.

During validation testing, the driver highlighted the steering sensitivity and overall vehicle behavior, noting improvements in traction, braking, and cornering stability. From a technical perspective, these characteristics enable higher speeds with a greater control margin, even at the limit.

Renewable fuels and performance lubricants
As in previous editions, the DKR GR Hilux will run on fuel containing 70 percent renewable content, along with lubricants developed in the Technology Lab of the project’s multi-energy partner. This approach turns the Dakar into a real-world test environment for sustainable, high-performance energy solutions, where reliability and efficiency are critical.

Competition context and operational scope
Dakar 2026 will start on January 3 in Yanbu, on the shores of the Red Sea, and will feature 13 stages that test both team and vehicle under extreme conditions of heat, navigation, and mechanical stress. The new DKR GR Hilux has been designed to face this environment with a combination of performance, accessibility, and robustness, positioning it as a technical benchmark within the Ultimate category.

Technical positioning
Isidre Esteve’s program demonstrates how competition engineering can combine extreme performance with accessibility without compromising competitiveness. The full hand-control adaptation of the DKR GR Hilux, together with the use of renewable fuels and compliance with the most demanding FIA regulations, positions this project as a relevant example of technical innovation in international rally-raid racing.

www.toyota.com