Defender has officially kicked off its Dakar Rally journey, completing the first round of prototype testing for its all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R in Morocco. The rugged rally-raid SUV is gearing up for its debut in the 2026 Dakar Rally and the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
Leading the charge is 14-time Dakar champion Stéphane Peterhansel, who joins the Defender Rally team alongside rising Lithuanian star Rokas Baciuška. The D7X-R prototype, based on Defender’s durable D7x aluminium platform, is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and will compete in the ‘Stock’ category for production-based vehicles.
Tested under extreme conditions in the Sahara Desert, the Defender Dakar D7X-R showcased its capability and resilience. The vehicle’s development continues ahead of its full launch later this year, with three cars planned for Dakar and two set to race across the 2026 W2RC season.
With its bold entry, Defender is embracing its legacy of adventure and engineering excellence to take on the world’s toughest off-road challenge.
