Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R Revealed, a V8-powered, Dakar-ready SUV based on the Defender Octa for the 2026 W2RC Stock category.
Land Rover has pulled the wraps off the Defender Dakar D7X-R, a hardcore rally-spec version of the Defender that will line up in the ‘Stock’ category of the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Built off the Defender Octa, this isn’t a road-going special but a factory-developed competition SUV, engineered to survive nearly 5,000km of brutal stages over two weeks.
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At its core, the Dakar D7X-R uses the Defender Octa’s D7X ladder-based architecture and 110 body shell, but almost every element has been tuned for rally raid duty. The standard 20-inch wheels make way for massive 35-inch off-road tyres, accompanied by a 60mm wider track and an increased ride height to help the SUV skim over dunes and rocky sections.
Extra underbody protection, a chunky front skid plate and heavy-duty Bilstein dampers are designed to cope with hard landings and the weight of a huge 550-litre rear fuel tank. A dedicated “Flight Mode” electronics feature manages torque distribution when the SUV is airborne, protecting the engine and drivetrain during heavy touchdowns.
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Power comes from the familiar 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the Defender Octa, paired with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive. In the Octa, this motor delivers up to 635hp and 800Nm, but for the Dakar D7X-R the output will be reined in by an FIA-mandated air-intake restrictor to comply with the Stock class regulations.
The rally car also runs on sustainable fuel that meets current FIA norms. An uprated cooling package replaces the Octa’s triple-radiator layout with a single large radiator backed by four 12-volt fans, while a particle filter in the intake system helps keep abrasive desert sand out of the engine.
The gearbox hardware is largely carried over, but the final drive ratio has been shortened to prioritise low-speed torque for steep climbs and soft sand rather than outright 0-100kph sprints. Braking has been upgraded to rally-spec hardware, with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear to haul up the heavier, fully fuelled D7X-R repeatedly over long stages.
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Visually, the Defender Dakar D7X-R stands out with its dual-tone ‘Geopalette’ livery. The earthy tones on the lower half are inspired by desert landscapes, while the bright aqua roof symbolises rare desert water sources. Redesigned bumpers trim the front and rear overhangs, boosting approach and departure angles. Roof-integrated LED light pods and air intakes give it a purposeful rally silhouette.
Inside, the cabin is stripped back and race-ready, featuring a full roll cage, fixed windows with small opening portholes, carbon-fibre and suede trim, and driver-specific bucket seats with six-point harnesses. Onboard equipment includes a tool kit, compressed air, hydraulic jacks, three spare wheels and an 8-litre water supply for the crew.
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