Land Rover Gears Up for Dakar Rally with New Defender D7X-R Prototype

Summary

• Defender completes first rally-raid test in Morocco with new D7X‑R prototype
• Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel and rising star Rokas Baciuška join the team
• The production-based D7X‑R will debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally in the ‘Stock’ category

Land Rover unveiled its initial design of the Defender Dakar D7X-R, a vehicle specifically crafted for rally-raid competitions, including the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). This prototype has been rigorously tested in the harsh desert landscapes of Morocco, signifying an exciting step forward for Land Rover’s venture into competitive off-road racing.

For competition in the Stock category for production-based vehicles, the Defender Dakar D7X-R maintains the durable aluminum body, transmission, and drivetrain from the standard model. Equipped with a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine, this prototype embarked on its initial test run across the challenging dunes of the Sahara desert.

Additionally, the team announced the recruitment of two renowned racers: 14-time Dakar Rally champion Stéphane Peterhansel and up-and-coming Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuška. These drivers will lead our inaugural season, with plans for a three-vehicle team at the Dakar rally and a two-car squad for the rest of the 2026 World Cross-Country Rally Championship (W2RC) series.

James Barclay, Managing Director of JLR Motorsport, stated, ‘We’ve reached a significant achievement! Stephan possesses an exceptional level of expertise, while Rokas is one of the most promising up-and-coming figures in this field.’

During its testing period, the Defender Dakar D7X-R has been disguised in a camouflage outfit. It’s set to unveil its complete appearance towards the end of this year, preceding the January 2026 race.

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2025-05-12 06:26