DEFENDER RALLY
RALLY TOGETHER, WIN AS ONE
Defender made history at the 2026 Dakar Rally, claiming victory in the Stock category on its debut. Over two weeks of punishing desert terrain, the Defender D7X‑R- developed from the Defender OCTA, and built on the same production line as all Defenders - delivered multiple stage wins and a clean sweep of podium finishes for consecutive days.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal secured the overall Stock class title, supported by teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman in second place and Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel with Michaël Metge in fourth.
This marks an exciting new chapter for Defender in motorsport, with the D7X‑R proving its endurance and durability and reinforcing Defender as the ultimate expression of strength and resilience.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal secured the overall Stock class title, supported by teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman in second place and Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel with Michaël Metge in fourth.
This marks an exciting new chapter for Defender in motorsport, with the D7X‑R proving its endurance and durability and reinforcing Defender as the ultimate expression of strength and resilience.
RALLY-RAID READY
See Defender Rally push it to extremes for the team’s Dakar debut.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
The Defender Dakar D7X-R will compete in the new ‘Stock’ category for production-based cars at the 2026 Dakar Rally. Derived from Defender OCTA, the rally cars use the same powerful 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain as well as the tough core Defender architecture.
BORN TO RUN
The D7X-R’s bodyshell was assembled on the production line at Defender’s state-of-the-art Nitra Manufacturing Centre in Slovakia, before bespoke final build to ‘Stock’ rally-raid specification was completed by the Defender Rally team in the UK.
BORN TO RUN
The D7X-R’s bodyshell was assembled on the production line at Defender’s state-of-the-art Nitra Manufacturing Centre in Slovakia, before bespoke final build to ‘Stock’ rally-raid specification was completed by the Defender Rally team in the UK.
DRIVERS
Three rally legends will compete for Defender in all rally-raid events.
STÉPHANE PETERHANSEL
ROKAS BACIUŠKA
SARA PRICE
NAVIGATORS
Each of our drivers will be joined by an experienced navigator.
MIKA METGE
ORIOL VIDAL
SEAN BERRIMAN
SUSTAINABLE FUEL
The Defender Dakar D7X-R will run on an advanced sustainable fuel, as defined and compliant with FIA regulations*.
SUSTAINABLE FUEL
The Defender Dakar D7X-R will run on an advanced sustainable fuel, as defined and compliant with FIA regulations*.
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
A portfolio of world-class partners has joined Defender Rally for the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship.
*Complies with FIA regulations – ‘FIA Appendix J, Article 266 - Energy Regulations for Competition Vehicles, Article 3 - Advanced Sustainable Fuel, 3.2 AS Petrol’.