
Defender made history at the 2026 Dakar Rally, claiming victory in the Stock category on its debut. Over two weeks of punishing desert terrain, the Defender D7X‑R- developed from the Defender OCTA, and built on the same production line as all Defenders - delivered multiple stage wins and a clean sweep of podium finishes for consecutive days.
See Defender Rally push it to extremes for the team’s Dakar debut.
The Defender Dakar D7X-R competed in the new 'Stock' category for production-based cars at the 2026 Dakar Rally. Derived from Defender OCTA, the rally cars use the same powerful 4,4-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain as well as the tough core Defender architecture.
Three rally legends will compete for Defender in all rally-raid events.



Each of our drivers will be joined by an experienced navigator.




A portfolio of world-class partners has joined Defender Rally for the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship.






*Complies with FIA regulations – ‘FIA Appendix J, Article 266 - Energy Regulations for Competition Vehicles, Article 3 - Advanced Sustainable Fuel, 3.2 AS Petrol’.