by Land Rover positions its Defender as one of the most durable production off-road vehicles, but can it win the planet’s toughest rally? We will find out the answer in January when the specially prepared Defender Dakar D7X‑R lines up at the start of the legendary Dakar.
Unlike the factory teams from Toyota and Mini, which have dominated the overall standings in recent years, Land Rover has chosen the “Stock” class for production vehicles. This category has undergone changes, giving participants more freedom in preparing their race cars. A victory here could bring more benefit to the brand, as it will be clearly associated with the models that customers buy in showrooms.
The Defender Dakar D7X‑R will not have a carbon frame like T1 class cars but will be built on the basis of a standard aluminum body with a classic layout. Technical details have not been disclosed yet, but it is known that the powertrain will be based on the 4.4-liter V8 installed on production models.
The debut will take place at the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where Land Rover will present three units. Two of them will continue to compete in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
This is Land Rover’s first official attempt to participate in the Dakar. The company has taken preparation seriously, conducting intensive tests in the Sahara Desert. The team has invited experienced racer Stéphane Peterhansel, who has stood on the top step of the Dakar podium 14 times. His co-driver will be 25-year-old Rokas Baciuška, the W2RC champion.
