Published on: 07/04/2025 Updated on: 09/04/2025
The Panda Raid 2025 is not just a car race: it is an epic journey through the dunes of the Moroccan desert, an experience with an old school flavor that celebrates the pure spirit of exploration. Aboard the timeless Fiat Panda and Seat Marbella, hundreds of crews from all corners of the world will embark on a one-of-a-kind challenge.
Also this year, Mafra will be a protagonist with its official team and a Fiat Panda 4×4 specially outfitted to face extreme conditions. The project combines craftsmanship, passion for off-roading and technical ingenuity, resulting in a new evolution of the legendary #MAFRAPANDA, an authentic jewel on wheels.
As in the 2024 Panda Raid, Marco Mattioli, general manager of Mafra, will still be at the wheel, flanked by navigator Mario Pensotti. A well-established pair, they are thoroughly familiar with the pitfalls of the Moroccan route. Making their Panda exceptional were Enrico Giudici and Mario Candela, expert preparers who transformed a simple car into an adventure companion capable of surprising even the most experienced teams.
What is the Panda Raid and why it is different from any other race
The name "Panda Raid" already says it all: on the one hand, "Panda," a symbol of simplicity and reliability; on the other hand, "Raid," a reminder of the great crossings between hard work and endurance. Together, they represent an out-of-the-ordinary challenge, where more than 300 crews choose to leave modernity behind to experience something authentic.
The Panda Raid was born from a clear philosophy: disconnect from routine and rediscover the essentials. No comfort, no technology. Just you, your Panda and the desert. It is an amateur rally, but with the pitfalls of a real competition: navigation without GPS, tough routes, unpredictable weather, nights under the stars, and hundreds of miles through sand and rock.
Panda Raid 2025: a proof of character, freedom and simplicity
The Panda Raid 2025 is much more than an event. It is a manifesto for those who seek genuine adventure, for those who believe that little is needed to experience something great. No algorithms, no apps: just mechanics, intuition, adaptation and teamwork.
The fastest do not win here, but those who endure. Those who overcome difficulties, who get back up after a breakup, who extend a hand to others. Those who laugh in the evening, sitting on the ground, with sun-scarred skin and dusty hands, sharing a plate of cous cous around the fire.
Every stage is an achievement. Each checkpoint, a satisfaction. Each night, a little journey into oneself.
The Panda Raid is uncomfortable, tough, unpredictable. But for that very reason, it is unforgettable. Because when you return home, you are never the same. You braved the desert with a Panda. And you made it.
The new identity of #MAFRAPANDA 2025: samurai spirit and warrior soul
For the 2025 edition, the #MAFRAPANDA presents itself with a new visual identity that tells the whole story of its essence. In the center, a brand new logo: a panda in samurai version, a symbol of strength, discipline and warrior spirit. Between its paws, it proudly clutches the Abarth shield, a clear reference to the power hidden under the hood. It is not just a graphic detail, but a real message: this is not just any Panda. It is a fighter born to challenge the desert.
A warrior with an Abarth heart
The heart of the #MAFRAPANDA beats thanks to a 160-horsepower Abarth 1400 Multijet engine, prepared to withstand the extreme conditions of the Moroccan raid. A bold and decisive technical choice that delivers powerful torque, high performance and optimized fuel consumption-the perfect balance for tackling hours and hours of off-road driving, without compromise.
The lightness of the Panda chassis, combined with the grit of the Abarth powerplant, results in a vehicle that is agile on the dunes, tough on any terrain, and as tireless as its driver.
The new samurai logo thus becomes the official symbol of #MAFRAPANDA 2025, a visual representation of the spirit with which Mafra faces this challenge: determination, resilience and respect for the desert. A perfect mix of Italian culture, technique and passion.
Our MAFRAPANDA: a prototype designed for the desert.
The MAFRA PANDA is much more than a car: it is a prototype built with craftsmanship and technical vision. It was born from the combination of the body of a Panda Van and the mechanics of a Suzuki SJ 413: chassis, axles, gearboxes and transmission. The wheelbase has been shortened by 22 cm to fit the body, while thestance has been completely revised: oil/gas shock absorbers and Range Rover struts ensure stability even in the most challenging jumps.
The engine is the same as that of a Fiat 500 Abarth, boosted with an intercooler, oversized turbine and a dual-mapped ECU to adapt to long runs or technical stretches. Cooling and intake have been redesigned from the ground up: additional fans, an oversized radiator and a snorkel with a tractor-grade oil bath filter ensure reliability even in the most extreme conditions.
Behind the scenes: all the technology of MAFRAPANDA
This prototype, born from the passion of Enrico Giudici and Mario Candela, is a concentrate of solutions designed to withstand the desert:
- 90° tilting dashboard for quick maintenance to electrical system
- Low-mounted engine to improve center of gravity and stability
- Advanced cooling system with special anti-surge liquid
- Power of 160 hp on the dyno, with the possibility of development up to 230 hp
- Pantograph jack with 8 attachments to quickly lift the vehicle in any situation
- Remote telecare via ECU, for diagnosis and modification even from the team in Italy
- Side and rear air intakes to optimize airflow in the hood
- Enhanced taillights, critical in poor visibility (e.g., sandstorms)
- Integrated tire inflation/deflation system, with attachments accessible from both sides
- Technical flap for access to clutch and internal hot air use
- Side storage pockets for quick equipment management
- Electrical system divided into sections: engine, lights, instruments
- Reinforced roof rack with two 10-liter canisters, two spare tires and sand platforms
Every detail has been designed to cope with the scorching climate, sandy terrain, and violent blows of extreme off-roading. It is not just a Panda: it is a mobile laboratory ready for anything.
Omega Ma-Fra: a synergy in the sign of solidarity
Among the most significant new developments in 2025 is the birth of the partnership between Mafra and Team Omega, which from this year officially takes on the name Omega Ma-Fra. A partnership founded on common values: passion, determination and a strong team spirit.
With 20 cars entered, Omega Ma-Fra confirms itself among the most numerous and structured lineups in the Panda Raid. The team consists of close-knit crews, experienced mechanics and determined navigators, capable of tackling each stage with focus, enthusiasm and great competence.
But it's not just a matter of technique: what makes Omega Ma-Fra truly special is the positive and supportive spirit that drives each team member. In the bivouacs they bring contagious energy and, when another crew is in trouble, they are always the first to intervene. Because in the desert, as in life, you only win together.
For Mafra, supporting a group so representative of the true values of the Panda Raid - respect, sharing, humanity - is a source of great pride.
A unique experience between adventure and social engagement
The Panda Raid is much more than a motor competition: it is a true solidarity expedition, capable of combining a passion for motors with the desire to leave a positive mark on the world. Each year, participants bring with them school supplies to donate to schools in southern Morocco, contributing in a concrete way to the future of local communities.
Alongside the challenge among the dunes, social commitment is also renewed. As per tradition, the Omega Ma-Fra team confirms its support for the Un Sogno per Vincere association, thanks to the initiative of President Ivano Griso and Cristian Albertini, who have always been at the forefront of this charitable project.
It is this philosophy - made up of passion, altruism and sharing - that makes the Panda Raid an extraordinary event, followed by an increasingly passionate international community. As the official website states, it is "an unusual rally, an adventure, an uncomfortable journey" - and it is this authenticity, made up of hard work and real emotions, that makes it truly unforgettable.
Omega Ma-Fra: a synergy under the banner of solidarity
Among the big news for 2025 is the important partnership between Mafra and Team Omega, which this year takes on the new name Omega Ma-Fra. A synergy based on common values such as passion, determination and team spirit.
With 20 cars entered, Team Omega is one of the most numerous and organized lineups in the Panda Raid. Composed of close-knit crews, passionate mechanics and experienced navigators, the team is distinguished by the care with which they prepare each and every Panda, but also by the positive and cooperative spirit they bring to every bivouac. Where there is a problem, they are the first to arrive.
Alongside the sporting challenge, there is no lack of social commitment. Also this year, the team renews its support for the association Un Sogno per Vincere (A Dream to Win), thanks to the will of President Griso and Cristian Albertini, who have always been protagonists of this charitable project.
No less important, the direct participation ofMafra CEO Marco Mattioli, who will be competing in a Panda prototype fully prepared for the event.
The schedule opens onApril 11 in Almería, Spain, with technical and sporting scrutineering. From Sunday, April 13 to Friday, April 18, six stages will take the crews from Naïma to Bouarfa, passing through Gourrama, Merzouga and finally Tafraoute Sidi. A tough but fascinating route, where every finish line will be a victory.
The 2025 route: more than 3,000 km between Europe and Africa
The 2025 edition of the Panda Raid will officially kick off on Friday, April 11, with technical and sporting scrutineering taking place in Almeria, before moving to southern Spain for embarkation.
The following day, Saturday, April 12, crews will cross the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry from Algeciras to Morocco, beginning the actual adventure in the heart of North Africa.
From Sunday, April 13 to Friday, April 18, participants will tackle six challenging stages across the Moroccan desert in an itinerary that will test endurance, ingenuity and spirit of adaptation. Some 3,000 kilometers in total, including sand, stone, breathtaking views and extreme stretches.
The layout includes:
- Stage 1: Naïma to Bouarfa.
- Stage 2: Bouarfa to Gourrama.
- Stage 3: Gourrama to Merzouga.
- Stage 4: Merzouga to Tafraoute Sidi Ali.
- Stage 5: Tafraoute Sidi Ali to Kerrandou.
- Stage 6: Kerrandou to mehdia, where the final closing ceremony will be held on April 18 with the ocean in the background.
Return to Spain is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, with the final ferry crossing.
An intense week of adventure and sharing, in which each stage will be a finish line and each mile a memory to take home.
From the MA-FRA plant toward adventure
It all began at the MA-FRA plant, where our #MAFRAPANDA, along with the cars of the Milano Scuderia Autostoriche, was loaded onto a car transporter to embark on the first leg of its journey: destination Almeria, the official starting point of the Panda Raid 2025.
A symbolic moment that marks the beginning of an adventure made of challenges, passion and team spirit. With this expedition we bring to the desert not only a unique prototype, but our whole vision of performance, technical research and fun on four wheels.
MA-FRA Welcome Kit: getting off on the right foot
The adventure begins in the Piazzale MA-FRA, where the 11 crews of the Scuderia Milano Autostoriche receive a special welcome along with the famous MA-FRA Welcome Kit, with a selection of the best car care products designed to keep the cars in perfect condition even in the most extreme desert situations.
The expedition begins
From the MA-FRA Apron, the Pandas are loaded onto the car transporters bound for Almería, the embarkation point for the crossing to Morocco. From there the actual foray into the heart of the African desert will begin.
The #MAFRAPANDA is ready.
The team is ready.
And now, so are you.
Follow the Panda Raid in real time
Thanks to a satellite tracking system, family members and fans will be able to follow the progress of the stages live. StartingApril 11, it will be possible to view the crews' progress on the official map through Owaka's live platform:
👉 owaka.live/panda-raid-2025 good luck. If you cannot attend but want to follow the event, you can stay updated on all the stages by following the hashtag #MAFRAPANDA and cheer on the MA-FRA team. Join us to keep the legend of the Panda Raid alive!
