Rugged Defender Dakar D7X-R set for 2026 Saudi rally debut

AFTER more than 6 000 kilometres of relentless testing, the Defender Dakar D7X-R is ready to make its debut in the 2026 Dakar Rally starting in January in Saudi Arabia.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

They will be competing in the new Stock category, launched for 2026, which stipulates what must not be changed from the production vehicle, as well as what and how modifications can be made.

The Defender Dakar D7X-R adopts the same D7x body architecture, transmission and driveline layout as the Defender OCTA.

The rally version will also be powered by the OCTA’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine — another element that cannot be modified — and will run on an advanced sustainable fuel.

Crews will endure more than 80 hours of competitive driving over two weeks and around 5 000 kilometres of timed stages.

Dakar legend and 14-time winner Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge; Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal; and Sara Price with South Africa’s Sean Berriman, will be backed by a team of mechanics and engineers, with the newly appointed team principal, Ian James, at the helm.

Desert tones

The Dakar D7X-R livery is inspired by the tones and textures of the desert.

The new “Geopalette” design takes its cues from the arid landscapes that characterise the Dakar.

It combines sand, stone and earth tones with a hint of Aqua, drawn from the rare desert waters that bring contrast and clarity.