Defender has revealed a Design Preview Model of the Defender Dakar at The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week, a road-legal limited-run version of the D7X-R that won the Stock class at the 2026 Dakar Rally. The vehicle was shown alongside heritage Defenders and the D7X-R competition car itself.
The D7X-R made its competition debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally, where three cars finished first, second, and fourth in the new Stock class across 14 days of racing. The team recorded a 1-2-3 result on 10 of the 13 stages, and the three cars covered a combined 14,913 miles (24,000 km) over the event.
The road car retains the D7x body architecture, transmission, and driveline of the D7X-R, all of which derive from the Defender OCTA. It uses the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, unrestricted from race regulations, producing 626 hp (635 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm), with increased cooling capacity over the standard car.
Chassis hardware includes a 35-inch tire package with Advanced All-Terrain tires mounted on new forged 20-inch wheels, along with coil suspension using Bilstein Advanced Dampers. New Dunes and Gravel drive modes join the lineup, as does Flight Mode, which was developed for the competition car to manage landings over uneven terrain.
Exterior changes include roof-mounted light pods, a fixed metal roof, carbon fiber raised air intakes, a carbon fiber hood, extended wheel arches with exposed rivets, a tailgate blanking plate, and mud flaps. A metal front under shield and additional underbody protection are also fitted. Color options are headlined by Dakar Sand paint with a Yanbu Turquoise roof, matching the D7X-R race livery, with an optional Matte Protective Film available on Narvik Black and Alaska White.
Inside, the limited-run model uses a 2+2 seating configuration with row-one race seats designed specifically for the Defender Dakar. Four-point racing harnesses are optional, and rear stowage is sized to hold race helmets. The load space includes a purpose-built mounting for the spare wheel and air compressor.
Registrations of interest are being collected now, with the Defender Dakar available to reserve from early 2027. Defender says further technical details and full specifications will be released at the 2027 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
GalleryPhotos by Land Rover
