Land Rover Gears Up for Dakar Rally with New Defender D7X-R Prototype
Powered by 4.4L twin-turbo V8 and to be piloted by a star driver lineup.
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 has revealed the first look at its purpose-built rally-raid prototype, the Defender Dakar D7X-R, as it prepares to enter the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Tested under extreme desert conditions in Morocco, the prototype marks a major milestone for the brand’s entry into competitive off-road racing.
Set to compete in the Stock category for production-based vehicles, the Defender Dakar D7X-R retains the robust D7x aluminum body, transmission and driveline from the standard model. Powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8, the prototype made its first test run across the demanding dunes of the Sahara.
The team also confirmed the signing of two high-profile drivers: 14-time Dakar champion Stéphane Peterhansel and rising Lithuanian talent Rokas Baciuška. Both drivers will spearhead the team’s debut campaign, with a three-car lineup expected for Dakar and a two-car effort for the remainder of the 2026 W2RC season.
“This is a huge milestone,” said James Barclay, Managing Director of JLR Motorsport. “Stéphane brings unmatched experience, and Rokas is one of the brightest young talents in the sport.”
The Defender Dakar D7X-R, wrapped in camouflage for its test phase, will make its full debut later this year ahead of the January 2026 race.
