Dakar Classic: Delta Geländesport readies a G500 for 2028

Delta Geländesport is already preparing for the 2028 Dakar Classic. Besides the two Puch 280GEs that will start the 2027 edition, the team is converting a 2000 Mercedes-Benz G500 for the following race. It describes the car as currently stock, but it will be fully prepared and race ready in time for 2028. It is a customer build entrusted to the delta4x4 workshop.

A team with a new name

Delta Geländesport used to be called delta4x4 Racing before being renamed in July. It is the team of Maximilian and Laurence Loder. For them, 2026 was the first year as a fully independent operation, under their company delta4x4. They then received a MAN service truck that had already raced the Dakar 14 times, along with a Volkswagen Amarok and a Mercedes Sprinter for support and media. The team also maintains a partnership with X-raid to build MAN TGE service vans.

Two Puch 280GEs for 2027

The Loder brothers finished the 2026 Dakar Classic in January in 75th place overall, 58th among cars. Their car suffered several problems: a broken damper mounting point, damaged shocks, a bent axle after landing in a hole and a fuel delivery problem at high revs. It was their second participation, after a 47th place in 2024 on their first start.

The second Puch 280GE for 2027 was announced in February. The 280GE is better known as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, with the Puch name used in some markets, including Austria. The team converted a four-door version, with input from former members of the BMW team.

A tribute to Josef Loder

The cars pay tribute to their father, Josef, who drove a G-Class in the 1985 Paris–Dakar as a support vehicle for BMW Motorrad. Only about 200 examples of the two-door version were made, hence the conversion of a four-door, with a livery copying his father's, with delta4x4 logos in place of Marlboro. Puch and Mercedes-Benz have deep roots in the Loder family.

What sporting goal?

Maximilian Loder said the aim is the top 20 when the car runs well and the crew is fit. Anyone interested in joining the next edition can contact the team, at the address given by 131 Off-Road.

In short: the Dakar Classic gains a new programme for 2028, built around a customer and a Mercedes G500, while the team is already preparing the 2027 edition with its two Puchs.

The editorial team