Land Rover’s Return to Dakar
Any form of motorsport is tough, but when it comes to the ultimate test of man and machine, none come close to the Dakar Rally. It used to run from Paris to Dakar, but over the years, geopolitical issues and other factors have forced the rally to scale back a bit.
In its current form, the Dakar Rally spans around 4,970 miles across lifeless, barren, and basically roadless deserts, with 3,107 miles of timed stages, and over 80 hours of competitive driving across a two-week period. Dakar’s legend is such that multiple manufacturers still seek out an overall win as a testament to their core strengths and durability.
The 2026 installment of the race will see the return of off-roading experts Land Rover to the famed rally with the Defender Dakar D7X-R. Yes, returning, as the British automaker has been absent since the 1990s.
Land Rover
Based on the V8-Powered Defender OCTA
With new rules to be enforced in 2026, the Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R adopts the same robust D7x body architecture, transmission, and driveline layout as the Defender OCTA – the most capable production Defender ever made. Powering the Defender Dakar will also be the OCTA’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which is one of the parts the FIA says cannot be modified and must run on sustainable fuel. One of the few changes to the engine is the coding, to properly operate in the most extreme conditions.
Powertrain cooling gets beefed up as a prerequisite for any type of racing, let alone one as intense as the Dakar. The D7X-R gets a reworked front fascia that prioritizes better airflow, and the radiator is now a single large unit type supported by four fans. Finally, a particle filter has been added to prevent sand from entering the air intakes.
There are also other notable modifications made to the Defender Dakar to make it rally-ready. A 550-liter fuel tank has been added, and to meet the demands of the desert, the Defender Dakar features a 35‑inch tyre package, complemented by a 60-mm track width increase and a raised ride height to improve ground clearance.
In terms of the suspension (a crucial element for rallying), the Defender Dakar D7X-R uses the same kinematic principle as the Defender OCTA, with a performance damper system that includes single-coil-over front and parallel twin rear dampers, developed in collaboration with Bilstein.
Land Rover
Flight Mode Because…Dakar
All the upgrades are pretty much par for the course when it comes to competing in Dakar, but Land Rover added something interesting: Flight Mode.
According to Land Rover, “Flight Mode automatically adjusts torque delivery from the engine to the wheels whenever the D7X‑R is airborne to ensure a smooth landing and protect the driveline.” So, yes, take it as it is – Flight Mode is a feature designed to help deal with the numerous (and inevitable) jumps along the way.
Related: How the Defender Became Land Rover’s Best-Selling Model
There will be three pairs of drivers and co-drivers piloting the Land Rover Defender D7X-R for the 2026 Dakar. They are Dakar‑legend Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge; Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal; and Sara Price with Sean Berriman.
Land Rover
