When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And at Dakar 2026, FPT once again proved to be the leading power in the world’s most extreme motorsport challenge. It was a major success for the Brand, marking a historic one–two podium finish for the de Rooy FPT teams, led by drivers Vaidotas Žala and Aleš Loprais, both supported by FPT as Technical Partner.
The 2026 edition was a truly special one for the Brand. The trucks, powered by the iconic CURSOR 13 engine, set the pace from the very first stages of the rally, dune after dune, dominating the overall standings from start to finish and confirming the excellence of FPT technology even in the harshest conditions. With proven reliability, class-leading power, and lightning-fast responsiveness, the CURSOR 13 delivers the performance needed to conquer the desert, high-speed off-road tracks, and the most challenging conditions, making it the strategic choice for those aiming to push every limit in the race.
“We are proud to see our powertrain solutions triumph at Dakar 2026, thanks to state-of-the art performance, reliability and service! FPT powers and assists customers all over the world in their daily missions. Here, we brought our technology and customer service capabilities to the toughest desert dunes to succeed in the most extreme rally in the world,” declares Giovanni Crepaldi, Vice President, FPT Sales & Marketing. “Let me thank the entire de Rooy FPT team for achieving this extraordinary result, as well as the other teams who rightly placed their trust in our power.”
In line with the Brand’s tagline, “Power You Trust”, the CURSOR 13 engine embodies the absolute confidence that drivers and teams can place in FPT technology. Being the Technical Partner of the de Rooy FPT teams allows the Brand to put its engineering skills to the test in the world’s most iconic rally raid, strengthening the company’s role as a technological benchmark under the most extreme conditions and reaffirming the passion for innovation that has always defined its engines.
Since 2023, the top three positions have been occupied by trucks powered by FPT, whose engines set the benchmark in the world’s toughest rally. Additionally, the iconic CURSOR 13 engine provided power and reliability to 20 out of 46 trucks competing in the rally.
Vaidotas Žala made his Dakar debut in 2016 in the Car class and has competed in several consecutive editions, showing steady progress over the years. After many seasons in the Car class, he made his truck debut in 2025 with the Skuba Team De Rooy FPT, placing fifth. After winning the 2026 edition, he said: “I am sure we have one of the top engines in the Dakar rally, especially power-wise. And everything really worked well. We didn’t have any issues whatsoever. And considering it was two weeks and 5,000 kilometers of off-road racing, we have to say that it is a great technical achievement. I am proud that FPT is at the front grille of our truck, because it is one of the top brands in the world and an integral part of the de Rooy team’s long-standing legacy. When I went for a change into trucks, I thought I either do it properly with the top team or don’t do it at all. So, I can say the strategy paid off.”
Aleš Loprais, an experienced driver and nephew of the legendary Karel Loprais, made his Dakar debut in 2006. Over the years, he has claimed stage wins and podiums, establishing himself among the top drivers. At the final stage of the race, where he finished second, he declared: “I focus on staying concentrated, with a clear head, and absolutely focused on performance. You really have a lot of things to do during the race, your brain is working a lot. You have to see everything, and you need to survive the longest rally in the world, which is the Dakar. What I especially like about this engine is the torque, because you can play a lot in the dunes and you can use the entire torque curve. Everything needs to be 100% to achieve the goal we came for.”
Behind the success, the FPT Customer Service Team played a crucial role throughout the rally. Thanks to a continuous monitoring system and the ability to anticipate potential issues, the engine demonstrated exceptionally high operational reliability. The constant work of the Customer Service team, supported by advanced tailored telematics solutions – meeting stringent data-exchange requirements – and proactive checks, further enhanced overall performance, ensuring zero downtime. For FPT customers, this approach means having a true virtual mechanic on board, capable of detecting and preventing potential faults, guaranteeing uninterrupted operation and maximum efficiency.
STAGE-BY-STAGE PODIUM STANDINGS
Vaidotas Žala – Driver, Paulo Fiuza – Navigator, Max Van Grol, Mechanic
9 podium finishes
1st place: ST7
2nd place: ST2, ST6, ST8, ST9, ST10, ST11, ST12
3rd place: ST4
Aleš Loprais – Driver, David Křípal – Navigator, Jiří Stross, Mechanic
8 podium finishes
1st place: ST1, ST6, ST9, ST10, ST11
2nd place: ST3, ST7
3rd place: ST13
CURSOR 13 for the Dakar 2026 – Technical specifications
No. of cylinders / valves: 6 L / 4
Turbocharger: Twin Scroll
Displacement [liters]: 12.88
Bore x stroke [mm]: 135 x 150
Maximum Rated Power [HP]: 1,000
Maximum Torque [Nm]: 5,000
Dry Weight [kg]: 1,150
FPT is a brand of Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG), dedicated to the design, production, and sale of powertrains and solutions for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as marine and power generation applications. Over 8,000 people across ten production sites and ten R&D centers work for FPT all around the world. Active in nearly 100 different countries, its global sales and its Customer Service department supports all Brand customers. The extensive product offering includes six engine ranges with power outputs from 30 hp to over 1,000 hp, transmissions with torque up to 500 Nm, and front and rear axles from 2.45 to 32 tonne GAW (Gross Axle Weight). FPT offers the most complete line-up of natural gas engines for industrial applications on the market, with power outputs ranging from 50 to 520 hp. A dedicated ePowertrain division is accelerating the path towards net zero-emissions mobility, with electric drivelines, battery packs, and battery management systems. This extensive offering, and its strong focus on R&D, makes FPT a world leader in industrial powertrains and solutions. For more information, visit www.fptindustrial.com.
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