21:12 09-12-2025

Defender Dakar D7X-R: stock-class OCTA set for 2026 debut

Defender is opening a new chapter in motorsport: the Defender Rally division has unveiled the Defender Dakar D7X-R—the machine that will put the brand on the Dakar start line for the first time in January 2026. And this isn’t a prototype but an entry in the new Stock category, where FIA regulations keep the key foundations of the production vehicle intact and strictly cap the changes. It’s a measured, production-rooted way to step into the world’s toughest rally-raid.

The most powerful road-going Defender—the OCTA—serves as the base. The D7X-R retains its powertrain architecture, transmission, and layout, as well as the 4.4‑liter twin‑turbo V8. The engine hasn’t been touched mechanically, but Stock rules bring an intake restrictor, and for heat and sand the cooling has been comprehensively reworked: a larger frontal area, optimized airflow, and a single big radiator with extra fans and sand filtration. It’s the kind of prioritization that favors stamina over headline output.

For rally-raid duty, the SUV gets the desert essentials: a 550‑liter fuel tank for ultra‑long special stages, a safety cage, reinforced underbody protection, and revised exterior geometry for better approach and departure. The chassis is a story of its own: the suspension was developed with Bilstein, adopting a racing-grade damper layout built to absorb big hits and carry the extra fuel load. It rolls on 35‑inch wheels, with a wider track and raised ride height, and the brakes are pure competition spec with multi-piston calipers. The spec reads more like a survival kit for dunes than a showpiece.

Engineers also added an electronic aid for real‑world conditions: Flight Mode, which adjusts torque delivery during jumps to soften landings and protect the driveline. Three crews are entered for the Dakar start, and prototypes have already logged more than 6,000 kilometers of off‑road testing—exactly the sort of mileage that chases robustness over theatrics.