This is the Land Rover Defender that will compete in the Dakar

New Defender Dakar D7X-R Prepares for Brutal 2026 Rally Debut

Land Rover has pulled the cover off its most hardcore Defender yet, built specifically to take on the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship and the Dakar Rally. The machine is called the Defender Dakar D7X-R, and while it competes in the Stock category, it arrives with enough attitude to make the production Defender Octa look tame. It will be piloted by 14-time Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel. The Dakar-spec Defender looks even more serious than …

This is the Land Rover Defender that will compete in the Dakar

Large SUV to take on large desert. Features a 4.4-litre V8 and a 550-litre fuel tank