2026 Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R revealed
All-new Defender Dakar D7X-R will take on the world’s toughest rally-raid in January as part of Defender’s first W2RC campaignThe News
The D7X-R will spearhead Defender’s entry into the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), competing in the new FIA Stock category designed to showcase production-based vehicles. Built from the Defender OCTA platform, the rally-ready model retains its robust D7x body architecture, transmission and driveline, along with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo eight-cylinder engine running on advanced sustainable fuel.
The Key Details
- Defender Dakar D7X-R will debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally as part of a full W2RC campaign
- Features wider track, raised ride height, bespoke suspension and 550-litre fuel tank
- FIA Stock category rules keep core components unchanged but allow rally-specific upgrades
- Drivers include Stéphane Peterhansel, Sara Price and Rokas Baciuska
The Finer Details
Each Defender Dakar D7X-R originates from the production line in Slovakia and adheres to FIA Stock category regulations, which mandate that the bodyshell and key components remain unchanged.
The rally car retains the OCTA’s eight-speed automatic gearbox but adopts a lower final drive ratio for improved torque at low speed.
Power comes from the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, running on sustainable fuel.
To tackle the desert, the D7X-R features a 35-inch tyre package, 60mm wider track and raised ride height.
Bodywork has been modified to improve approach and departure angles, while underbody protection and a full roll cage enhances durability and safety. Suspension upgrades include coil-over fronts and twin rear dampers developed with Bilstein.
Cooling has been optimised with a single large radiator and four 12V fans, plus bonnet revisions and particle filtration for sand protection.
Inside, the cabin is fitted with an FIA-regulated navigation system, head-up display and six-buckle seats tailored to each driver.
On-board essentials include eight litres of water, three spare wheels, a tool kit and integrated hydraulic jacks.
Defender Rally team principal Ian James said that the team is embracing the extreme challenge of Dakar head-on.
“Defender is driving into the unknown – to overcome the dunes, handle the heat and race flat-out against the clock,” James said.
“We know Dakar represents one of the toughest challenges in motorsport – but that’s exactly why we are entering.”
Defender Rally has already completed more than 6000km of off-road testing and is ready for its competitive debut at the Dakar Rally on January 3 in Saudi Arabia.
The Road Ahead
The 2026 Dakar Rally marks the start of Defender’s full World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) campaign, with the D7X-R set to compete in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
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