The Defender Unveils Its Dakar Outfit
- Published on 26/11/2025 6:57
- Modified on 26/11/2025 7:02
Land Rover has unveiled the Defender Dakar D7X‑R, which will represent the brand in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
The Defender will make its grand debut at the Dakar Rally next January, the most prestigious yet also the most demanding event on the off-road calendar. Derived from the series Defender OCTA, it retains the robust D7x chassis, drivetrain, and the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine running on next-generation sustainable fuel. However, it has been extensively modified for rally-raid: wider track, increased ground clearance, optimized suspension with BILSTEIN shock absorbers, enhanced cooling system, and a 550-liter fuel tank. A safety cage, 35-inch tires, and dedicated electronics complete the modifications.
Three crews will take off into the desert: Stéphane Peterhansel / Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuška / Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price / Sean Berriman. Over two weeks, they will tackle approximately 5,000 km of timed specials, supported by a team of mechanics and engineers led by Team Principal Ian James.
The Defender Wants to Eat Sand!
The “Geopalette” livery of the D7X‑R, inspired by desert colors – sand, stone, and earth with a touch of turquoise – reflects the vehicle’s philosophy: robustness and functionality. It especially reminds us that the Defender does not want to be limited to beach resorts and affluent neighborhoods. It claims the DNA of the original model, designed to tackle the most challenging terrains.
The vehicle remains compliant with the new “Stock” category of the W2RC, which limits modifications compared to the production model while allowing some adaptations for safety and performance. Cooling systems, suspension, and underbody protections have been optimized to withstand the extreme conditions of Dakar. Amusingly, to comply with regulations, this competition model will be less powerful than the production model, which boasts 635 hp!
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After over 6,000 km of off-road testing, the Defender Dakar D7X‑R is ready to take on the challenge. For Land Rover, this participation is primarily a way to demonstrate that the Defender retains its original off-road capabilities and can still face the most extreme environments.
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This page is translated from the original post "Le Defender dévoile sa robe de Dakar" in French.
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