Defender starts a new page in motorsport: the Defender Rally division introduced the Defender Dakar D7X-R car, with which the brand will make its Dakar debut in January 2026. It has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. 550 liter fuel tank, safety cage, reinforced underbody protection and improved external geometry for better entry and exit. The chassis is a different story: the suspension was developed together with Bilstein, using a racing damper scheme that can withstand shocks and excess fuel weight. Engineers also added an electronic “feature” for real conditions: Flight Mode; This mode adjusts the torque during jumps, making for softer landings and protecting the transmission.
Automobile Magazine – English
