Defender Rally unveiled the Defender Dakar D7X-R on Tuesday, revealing the competition vehicle that will make its debut at the Dakar Rally on January 3, 2026, as part of a full World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) campaign. The vehicle, derived from the production Defender OCTA, will compete in the Stock category with three driver crews over approximately 5,000km of timed stages.
The team comprises Dakar veteran Stéphane Peterhansel with co-driver Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuška with Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price with Sean Berriman. Ian James serves as Team Principal.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “Defender is the original British adventure brand, synonymous with unstoppable capability and epic adventure, something which we are proud to showcase on the competitive world stage. Defender Dakar D7X-R is the toughest Defender ever built. It carries the same core architecture and silhouette as Defender OCTA but has been developed to take on the ultimate competitive off-road adventure. Dakar pushes everything to the limit and competing in a rally-raid of this scale will authentically showcase Defender’s capability and robustness in the most extreme and harshest conditions on the planet.”
The D7X-R originates from Defender’s production facility in Nitra, Slovakia, adhering to FIA Stock category regulations that prohibit modifications to the bodyshell from production specifications. The vehicle retains the D7x body architecture, transmission, driveline layout, and 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine from the Defender OCTA. The engine will run on advanced sustainable fuel compliant with FIA regulations, though power will be limited by an air-intake restrictor according to Stock category rules. Final power output will be confirmed with FIA homologation documents on January 1, 2026.
Technical Modifications
The D7X-R features several modifications for rally-raid competition. A 550-litre fuel tank is built into the rear of the vehicle, while a competition-specification roll cage protects the crew. The vehicle runs 35-inch tyres with a 60mm track width increase and raised ride height for improved ground clearance, reaching 370mm compared to OCTA’s 323mm.
Ground clearance stands at 370mm, with approach and departure angles of 47.5° and 44.5° respectively, compared to OCTA’s 40.2° and 42.8°. The front track measures 1,832mm and rear track 1,828mm, both 60mm wider than OCTA specifications.
Suspension retains the kinematic principles of the production OCTA but incorporates a performance damper system developed with BILSTEIN, the team’s Official Shock Absorber Partner. The system includes single coil-over front dampers and parallel twin rear dampers, designed to handle the weight of a full 550-litre fuel tank.
Hanno Luczak, Chief Technical Officer, thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, said: “BILSTEIN is proud to be an active partner of Defender Rally during this extraordinary journey for the brand. We bring our damping expertise and decades of engineering excellence to ensure that every detail is designed for ultimate performance under the most demanding and rough conditions. The Dakar Rally marks the beginning of the World Rally-Raid Championship and stands for challenge, innovation and endurance. Values that have defined BILSTEIN as a premium brand for generations.”
The cooling system has been upgraded with a single large radiator replacing the production vehicle’s three radiators, supported by four 12V fans. Bonnet revisions aid cooling, and a particle filter prevents sand from entering air intakes. Light pods and cabin air intakes are mounted on the roof.
The eight-speed automatic gearbox remains unchanged from production, though a lower final drive ratio maximizes torque at low speeds. A bespoke brake system features vented discs with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.
A single motorsport control unit manages electronics. The Defender Rally team developed a “Flight Mode” that automatically adjusts torque delivery when the vehicle is airborne to ensure smooth landings and protect the driveline during desert jumps.
Interior and Equipment
The interior includes an FIA-regulated navigation system, driver head-up display, and configurable motorsport dashboard. FIA-regulated six-buckle seats are tailored to each driver. Crews carry eight litres of water, three spare wheels secured to the roll cage, a tool kit, compressed air, essential spare parts, and integrated hydraulic jacks capable of lifting either side of the vehicle.
Ian James, Team Principal of Defender Rally, said: “Defender is driving into the unknown – to overcome the dunes, handle the heat and race flat-out against the clock. We know Dakar represents one of the toughest challenges in motorsport – but that’s exactly why we are entering. Following an intense testing programme, the team are ready for the adventure ahead and the Defender Dakar D7X-R has been built to take it on. With world-class partners and some of the best rally-raid drivers on the planet, we’ll give it our all. I’m incredibly proud and excited to make our competitive debut in the W2RC and I look forward to what the season will bring.”
Driver Statements
Stéphane Peterhansel, 14-time Dakar Rally winner, said: “Experience doesn’t make Dakar easier, it just helps you understand how hard it really is. We have tested Defender Dakar D7X-R extensively and it has been brutal – but it should be. We have to be ready for anything.”
Rokas Baciuška said: “Dakar pushes the limits of humans, technology and engineering. No one knows the route for this year’s Dakar, let alone the outcome, but we’re determined to succeed and with Defender we have the right car to do it with.”
Sara Price said: “Dakar isn’t just a race against others, it’s a race against yourself and a true test of human endurance and teamwork. As a team we need to become one with Defender and take it one kilometre at a time and adapt to whatever challenges get thrown at us. We might be going into the unknown but we’re taking the toughest Defender ever and I can’t wait to get the race started.”
The vehicle features a livery inspired by desert landscapes, combining sand, stone and earth tones with Aqua accents. The design references the arid terrain characteristic of the Dakar Rally.
Defender Rally has completed over 6,000km of off-road testing with the D7X-R in prototype form. The 2026 Dakar Rally begins on January 3 in Saudi Arabia. Defender Rally’s partners include BILSTEIN, Castrol, Shackleton, and Alpinestars.