Prodrive presents the Hunter T1+, Loeb's weapon for chasing the Dakar

Summer is not synonymous with rest for Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX). The team, managed by Prodrive, has barely returned froma promising Baja Aragon (Nani Roma 5th, Sébastien Loeb leader before the last 50 km before a mechanical problem) that it is already affirming its participation in the Dakar 2022 (January 2-14) with an evolution of its 4×4 Hunter.

The red vehicle, which first appeared in Saudi Arabia last winter, will be modified to compete in the T1+ class. The Hunter (its name in the language of Shakespeare) will especially benefit from greater suspension travel (from 280 mm to 350 mm) in order to better cope with the difficulties of the Saudi desert.

On the left, the Thunder 2021, on the right the Thunder T1+ 2022. © BRX

The 32-inch tires and 16-inch rims will be replaced by 37-inch tires and 17-inch rims. The width of the car will reach 2,3 m, an increase of 30 cm.

The elements related to the bearing have been changed: suspension triangles, shock absorbers, transmission shaft, and differential. Driver comfort has been designed with a widening of the windshield. More generally, half of the bodywork was designed by the studio of Ian Callum (ex-designer of Jaguar in particular).

Gus Beteli, BRX Team Principal, welcomed the change in regulations decided by Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), supposed to make the fight between 4x4s (BRX, Toyota) and buggies (Mini) more equitable.

Not the result we wanted @LowAragon but the performance of the Prodrive Hunter, @SebastienLoeb @NaniRoma & @terranovaorly was 🔥🔥🔥. We'll be back even 💪 pic.twitter.com/forvPQGY0U

- Bahrain Raid Xtreme (@BRaidXtreme) July 26, 2021

“We learned a huge amount during our debut this year and have put all that learning into improving the car and believe our new Hunter T1+ is a significant step forward. We look forward to returning to Saudi Arabia in January, where we will look to challenge for victory. »

Prodrive takes the opportunity to announce the availability of the Thunder T1+ for private crews, which was not the case at the 2021 Dakar. The model is currently under construction in the Banbury factory and is due for its shakedown in September.