Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed it will field a new GR HiLux at the 2026 Dakar Rally.

The Dakar Rally will kick off the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship season, with the gruelling endurance race to be held from January 3 to 17.

The new, stronger HiLux is equipped with a reinforced transmission and a new tubular chassis, which is said to not only increase torsional stiffness and reduce weight, but improve serviceability for quicker track-side fixes. Toyota says the vehicle is currently undergoing a “comprehensive testing programme to prepare it for the punishing demands of the Dakar Rally”.

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The Australian connection with the DKR GR Hilux lies with Toby Price, who will make his TGR W2RC debut at the Dakar Rally. Price has previously tasted success at the event, being a two-time winner of the rally in the bikes category. In 2025, he swapped two wheels for four, driving a privately entered Toyota HiLux.

Price will be joined by navigator Armand Monleón, who sat alongside Lucas Moraes to win the 2025 drivers’ title for TGR W2RC. The duo is joined by fellow TGR HiLux drivers, Henk Lategan and Seth Quintero.

“This is one of those pinch-yourself moments in my motorsport career,” said Toby Price. “Dakar at this level is something only a very small group of people get to experience, and I’m extremely grateful to Toyota, Red Bull, Peter Kittle Motor Company, and all our partners for making it happen.

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“I’m really looking forward to heading back to Dakar for redemption after how our debut ended last year. Letting our partners down and seeing Sam suffer a concussion was tough, but it’s only added to my motivation. Teaming up with Armand is incredible. He brings so much experience, and I truly believe we’re in a great position to take it to the Dakar greats,” he added.

The three DKR GR Hilux vehicles will debut at Dakar, before competing in Portugal (12-22 March), Argentina (24-29 May), Morocco (28 September-3 October) and Abu Dhabi (22-27 November) throughout the five-event 2026 W2RC season.

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