Defender D7X-R to Tackle Dakar Rally with Peterhansel, Baciuška

The legendary Defender nameplate is swapping muddy laneways for the scorching dunes of the Sahara, as it prepares to enter the world of top-tier off-road motorsport. The brand has unveiled its new weapon of choice, the Defender Dakar D7X-R, a production-based rally raid prototype set to debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally before competing in the full FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

It’s more than just a motorsport moment—it’s a full-circle return to adventure. Based on the ultra-strong D7x aluminium monocoque used in road-going Defenders, the D7X-R is powered by a snarling 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, tuned for desert punishment and long-haul reliability. In keeping with the spirit of the newly-updated Stock category, the race car shares major mechanicals with the showroom model, making this a real-world test of Defender’s off-road pedigree.

The driver lineup reads like a fantasy team sheet. Stéphane “Mr. Dakar” Peterhansel, a 14-time Dakar winner and icon of the rally world, has signed on to lead the charge. He’s joined by Rokas Baciuška, a rising Lithuanian star and two-time world champion in different W2RC classes. At just 25, Baciuška has already stood on the Dakar podium and now takes aim at the Stock category behind the wheel of the D7X-R.

Peterhansel said: “I am delighted to begin a new chapter with Defender. The team is committed, the car is promising, and the challenge is as big as ever. This is a brand that knows adventure—it’s a perfect fit.”

Both drivers completed initial testing in Morocco, where the Defender D7X-R showed early signs of serious capability in the Sahara’s shifting sands and brutal temperatures. With camouflage-clad panels hiding minor development tweaks, the prototype is now undergoing a rigorous development program ahead of the January 2026 start line.

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James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director, confirmed this marks a major shift for the company: “This is more than just a race entry—it’s a global statement of what Defender can do when pushed to the edge. Stéphane and Rokas bring world-class skill, and the team’s already making strong progress.”

A third driver is expected to be announced later in the year, along with a full squad reveal. The cars themselves are being built at JLR’s Nitra facility, reinforcing the production DNA underpinning this competition beast.

The FIA’s recent rule changes to the Stock category will allow brands like Defender to better showcase their engineering and endurance on the biggest off-road stage in the world, where terrain can shift from rocky outcrops to punishing dunes in a heartbeat.

Defender’s entry signals a thrilling new chapter for a brand that’s always thrived where others falter. The D7X-R isn’t just a rally car—it’s a rolling statement of strength, spirit, and serious off-road swagger.

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