The Defender Rally team has officially unveiled the all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R, the race-ready beast that will take on the world’s toughest rally-raid—the Dakar Rally in January 2026. Wearing an all-new competition livery and engineered for extreme endurance, this machine marks Defender’s full entry into the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

Built from the rugged foundation of the Defender OCTA, the D7X-R keeps its production-spec bodyshell while receiving hardcore modifications for desert survival. With more than 5,000 km of timed stages, towering dunes, brutal terrain, and over 80 hours of competitive driving, this rally SUV is engineered for punishment and performance.

A Star-Studded Driver Line-Up

Defender Rally enters the 2026 season with an elite roster of drivers and co-drivers:

• Stéphane Peterhansel & Mika Metge

• Rokas Baciuška & Oriol Vidal

• Sara Price & Sean Berriman

Led by newly appointed Team Principal Ian James, these crews bring skill, grit, and global rally experience to an unforgiving championship.

Production Roots: Built in Slovakia

Every Defender Dakar D7X-R begins life at the Defender manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia. W2RC “Stock Category” regulations require that the bodyshell remains unchanged from the production vehicle, showcasing Defender’s inherent toughness and engineering integrity.

Extreme Modifications for Desert Warfare

Although regulations limit major changes, Defender Rally has integrated essential upgrades to withstand the Sahara’s fury and thousands of kilometers of rugged tracks.

Key Competition-Ready Enhancements

• 550-litre built-in fuel tank for long special stages (last year’s longest exceeded 800 km)

• Competition-spec roll cage for maximum crew safety

• 35-inch tyre package to conquer dunes and rocks

• 60 mm wider track for enhanced stability

• Raised ride height for improved ground clearance

• Modified front and rear bodywork to boost approach and departure angles

• Extended wheel arches & reinforced underbody protection

• Advanced suspension with BILSTEIN, Defender Rally’s Official Shock Absorber Partner

Unchanged Core: Built on a Tough Foundation

Despite being competition-ready, the Defender Dakar D7X-R retains key components from the Defender OCTA:

• D7x body architecture

• Original transmission & driveline

• 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine

• Runs on advanced sustainable fuel, representing the future of responsible motorsport

This combination of stock components with tactical upgrades carries Defender’s DNA into one of motorsport’s greatest challenges.

Defender Dakar D7X-R Technical Specifications

Driver & Co-Driver Line-Up for 2026

550-litre Rear Fuel Tank

This specially designed tank allows the D7X-R to manage Dakar’s longest stages—often exceeding 800 km without refuelling.

Key Modifications vs Production Defender OCTA

The Human Factor: Elite Drivers for an Elite Machine

Rally-raid is as much about endurance and navigation as machinery. For 2026, Defender Rally brings together a world-class driver lineup:

• Stéphane Peterhansel (“Mr. Dakar”) – the most decorated Dakar driver in history

• Mika Metge – seasoned navigator

• Rokas Baciuška – rising star and rally-raid champion

• Oriol Vidal – elite co-driver

• Sara Price – off-road legend

• Sean Berriman – experienced navigator

Conclusion

The Defender Dakar D7X-R is more than a race car—it is a statement of engineering strength, human endurance, and Defender’s commitment to the world of rally-raid. With a heritage-based body, advanced modifications, a powerhouse V8, and a world-class driver lineup, the D7X-R is set to dominate the desert when it makes its competitive debut on 3 January 2026.