The two trucks were originally delivered to the Mitsubishi Dakar Team in 1986 and in 1987. They are equipped with an impressive V10 engine, providing 18.5 liters of displacement and delivering 360 hp of performance. With a maximum design speed of 125 km/h and 6×6 all-wheel drive, these vehicles are ideally equipped for the challenges of the Dakar Rally.
The vehicles were used in the Dakar Rally every year from their launch until 2009. After this long and successful career, they were sold to JDM Catering and used in the Africa Race (Paris to Dakar) until 2020.
In 2020, the vehicles were taken over by Rally Raid Service GmbH, managed by Jörg Sand and Bastian Klausing. With the support of experienced Mercedes-Benz truck partners, the vehicles were restored and prepared for future races.
The trucks are not only known for their technical specifications, but also for the celebrities who drove them. These include Dakar winner Henry Magne (co-pilot) and Dakar technical manager Thierry Viadot. They are legends in the eyes of every Dakar fan and widely known throughout the organization.
The two Mercedes trucks are indispensable for the Völkel Dakar Team at the 2024 Dakar Rally. They serve the service team, supported by TV presenter, race car driver and drummer Lina van de Mars. The Völkel Dakar team is on track thanks to the excellent support. After the prologue and the first three stages, the vehicle driven by Jörg Sand and his co-driver Patrick Diemer came in an impressive 9th place.
