Defender Rally Team made its official debut at the Dakar Rally, the opening round of the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), which began in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 3. Three Defender Dakar D7X-R vehicles entered the Dakar, seen as the pinnacle of rally-raid competition.

The challenge includes world-class driver pairings such as Stephane Peterhansel and Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuska and Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price and Sean Berriman. The entry vehicle is the D7X-R, developed from the Defender OCTA, and it will take on about 5,000 km of extreme driving over two weeks in a new stock-car category based on production vehicles.

The D7X-R has a wider track, increased ground clearance, dedicated suspension and a reinforced cooling system, while keeping a production structure built at the Nitra plant in Slovakia. Its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine uses sustainable fuel without mechanical changes.

Defender also unveiled new partnerships with Yeti and Bell & Ross. The D7X-R also appears in Epic Games' Fortnite and Rocket League, extending the Dakar challenge into digital space.

Defender Rally Team managing director Ian James said, "Dakar is a stage that tests the limits of vehicles and drivers," adding, "Simply finishing is an achievement, but we have completed thorough preparations."