Early this year Land Rover announced that it will enter the 2026 Dakar Rally. The British firm has now unveiled the Land Rover Defender D7X-R Prototype. The production-based machine will compete in the 2025 W2RC, which has implemented new regulations to make the ‘Stock’ category more competitive overall. Land Rover figured that this would be the ideal arena to showcase its go-anywhere Defender. The team also announced two Dakar frontrunners who will spearhead the team’s driving strength.

Completing our first official test in the Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype is a huge milestone and kicks off a busy calendar of testing activity on our journey to Dakar. The team is doing phenomenal work as we prepare for the world’s most challenging off-road race in just eight months’ time. I’m also extremely proud and excited to announce the first two of our world-class driver line-up. The world-renowned Stéphane Peterhansel brings a remarkable amount of practical experience to the team as the most successful Dakar Rally competitor ever. His knowledge is going to be a huge asset to our programme. Rokas Baciuška is one of the most exciting and promising upcoming rally talents, boasting an impressive track record since he first entered the Dakar in 2022 – the same year he was crowned FIA World Rally-Raid Champion in the T4 class
– James Barclay, managing director of JLR Motorsport

Production Based

The Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R maybe be a purpose-built race machine but it has production roots, with the bodyshells coming from the plant’s regular production line. As a result the D7x-R shares the same aluminium body architecture, transmission and driveline layout as production Defenders. The Defender Dakar D7X-R is powered by a 4,4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. We are guessing it is the same engine as used in the high-performance Defender Octa.

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The first Land Rover Defender D7X-R Prototype has already hit the dunes, testing in the Sahara Desert with the team’s lead driver. Peterhansel completed Defender testing duties in the Sahara. The 59-year-old has competed in the Dakar Rally 35 times on both bike and car and has won the race 14 times. In 2026, the Frenchman will race for Defender in all rounds of the W2RC. A third driver and navigators will be announced at a later date.

In Their Own Words

Stéphane Peterhansel said:“I am delighted to begin a new chapter with Defender. The World Rally-Raid Championship is the pinnacle of rallying and off-road competition, whilst Defender is an iconic and capable 4×4, so for me it’s the perfect match. The team is committed to the championship and has a passion to win. I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge and together I hope we can take Defender to the top step of the podium.

“Despite competing in many Dakar Rallies before, both on bike and in cars, I’m looking forward to entering the Stock category, and I’m excited to take it head on with this team. It’s been amazing to get behind the wheel of the Defender D7X-R prototype for the first time in Morocco. Whilst it’s early days, our testing is moving in a positive direction for our preparation for our Dakar Rally debut in 2026.”

Rokas Baciuška, said: I’m extremely excited to make my debut in the Stock cate gory of the Dakar Rally, made even more significant by driving for Defender. Having the legendary Defender join the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and Dakar Rally is an historic moment in motorsport and for the brand, and I’m looking forward to being an integral part of that story.

“Defender is an incredible brand synonymous with being unstoppable and embracing the impossible, which is why I am so proud to be a part of this program. I can’t wait to begin my journey with the team and start testing the Defender D7X-R for the first time in anticipation of the 2026 Dakar Rally.”