The Dakar 4x4 is a

kit car A kit car is an automobile available as a set of parts that a manufacturer sells and the buyer then assembles into a functioning car. Usually, many of the major mechanical systems such as the engine and transmission are sourced from donor ve ...

- the successor of the Rotrax - though unlike many it is based on a

Range Rover Range may refer to: Geography * Range (geographic), a chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra) ** Mountain range, a group of mountains bordered by lowlands * Range, a term used to ...

chassis rather than the more usual sports car style. Originally developed in 1991 by Barry Chantler of Dakar Cars in Dartford, Kent, they are now manufactured and built to order by Steve Bennett's company Dakar 4×4 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. There are around 120 known conversions in the UK, with more in

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and also the similar Bush Ranger ("Bushie") in Australia. As well as the performance improvements from the reduced bodyweight, the Dakar design greatly improves the

approach and departure angles Approach angle is the maximum angle of a ramp onto which a vehicle can climb from a horizontal plane without interference. It is defined as the angle between the ground and the line drawn between the front tire and the lowest-hanging part of the ...

of the standard vehicle. The Adams Rotrax was a RWD 2-seater buggy built on a space frame chassis using Cortina suspension and engines. Dennis Adams, its designer, tagged it "the thinking man's beach buggy". The original Sport 2-seater was later joined by the 2+2 Safari model. The Dakar 4x4 stretched the design to match the Range Rover's 100 inch wheelbase and added a rear seat as well as carrying over the V8 and 4WD from the donor vehicle. The kit has evolved slowly, with minor cosmetic changes, as well as now being able to be fitted to a

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discover ...

chassis. Enthusiasts have also fitted a number of engine upgrades, from a 5.7L small block Chevrolet engine up to a 7.3L with

nitrous A Nitrous Oxide Engine, or Nitrous Oxide System commonly referred to and known as NOS, is an internal combustion engine in which oxygen for burning the fuel comes from the decomposition of nitrous oxide, N2O, rather than air. The system incre ...

oxide injection. The Dakar found TV fame in the 1990s, with a factory-built car being chosen for the series

Challenge Anneka ''Challenge Anneka'' is a British Reality television, reality programme that aired on BBC One, BBC1 from 8 September 1989 to 15 October 1995 and was hosted by Anneka Rice. It was announced in 2006 that the series was returning, but this time o ...

as a replacement for the previously used VW-based beach buggy. The vehicle was finished in the series' trademark colours, a light blue body with yellow roll cage and weather gear. Barry Chantler also designed a small-scale Dakar for children, the design of which reached at least the prototyping/bodyshell stage. John E Davis Motor Works is an

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal A ...

company that make a car called the Bush Ranger that has been derived from the Dakar.

External links

Dakar 4x4 - Design & Conversions - Link

Car manufacturers of the United Kingdom Kit car manufacturers

See also

External links