The Defender Unveils Its Dakar Outfit
- Published on 26/11/2025 6:57
- Modified on 26/11/2025 10:44
Land Rover 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 but also the most challenging event in the off-road calendar. Derived from the series Defender OCTA, it retains the robust D7x structure, transmission, and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine running on next-generation sustainable fuel. However, it has been significantly adapted for rally-raid: wider track, increased ground clearance, optimized suspension with BILSTEIN dampers, enhanced cooling system, and a 550-liter fuel tank. A roll cage, 35-inch tires, and dedicated electronics complete the modifications.
Three crews will launch into the desert: Stéphane Peterhansel / Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuška / Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price / Sean Berriman. For two weeks, they will face around 5,000 kilometers of timed stages, 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 the colors of the desert – 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 limit itself to beach resorts and affluent neighborhoods. It proudly asserts the DNA of the original model, designed to tackle the most demanding terrains.
The vehicle remains compliant with the new “Stock” category of the W2RC, which limits modifications compared to the production model while allowing certain adaptations for safety and performance. The cooling systems, suspension, and underbody protections have been optimized to withstand the extreme conditions of Dakar. Interestingly, 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 kilometers 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 confront 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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