Dust & Glory: Sixth for Hino in 2024 Dakar Rally

Hino has put in a solid effort once again in the 2024 Dakar Rally, clinching a sound sixth place in its classic Hino 600 Series bonneted truck.

The 46^th Dakar Rally unfolded from January 5^th to 19^th, covering a gruelling course of 12 stages spanning over 8,000 kilometres.

A fresh addition for 2024 was the 48-hour chrono, a marathon stage held over two days. Competitors roared through 750 kilometres, rested in pop-up tents on sandy terrain overnight, and then tackled another demanding 549 kilometres on the following day.

This marks Hino’s 33^rd consecutive Dakar Rally finish since 1991 when it became the first Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer to enter the rally. In response to new rules on hybrid trucks, Hino Team Sugawara ditched the hybrid system they’ve used for the past two years, shedding weight and boosting the Hino 600 Series’ competitiveness against larger rivals.

Driver and Team Director Teruhito Sugawara, along with co-drivers Hirokazu Somemiya and Yuji Mochizuki, navigated the challenging course with support from the members of Hino Team Sugawara.

The Hino Dakar Rally 600 Series boasts full-time 4WD and runs on a robust 9-litre direct injection, turbocharged, and intercooled A09C engine with a turbo intercooler. In the NZ market, a production version of the A09C engine can be found in the 320 and 360hp variants of the Hino 700 Series.

Caption: Driver and Team Director Teruhito Sugawara, along with co-drivers Hirokazu Somemiya and Yuji Mochizuki.

Caption: Hino Team Sugawara finished sixth in the 46th edition of the Dakar Rally.

Caption: The supporting members of Hino Team Sugawara.

Caption: The bonneted Hino 600 Series trucks has demonstrated the quality, durability, and reliability that Hino is notorious for.

Caption: The Hino Dakar Rally truck boasts full-time 4WD and runs on a robust 9-litre A09C engine.