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Defender Dakar D7X-R Revealed – Checkout Photos, Specs And Design
Defender Rally has officially revealed the Defender Dakar D7X-R, which is their brand-new racing SUV prepared specially for the 2026 Dakar Rally. It is one of the toughest and most dangerous motorsport events in the world and this SUV is not just another modified car, but it is a purpose-built machine which is designed to survive desert heat, giant dunes, sharp rocks and nearly 5,000 km of harsh rally-raid racing.
Defender Dakar D7X-R
What makes it special?
What makes the D7X-R so special is that it is based on the road-going Defender OCTA and it keeps the same strong, lightweight D7x body architecture which is able to handle extreme twisting forces. It also uses the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, but tuned to run on advanced sustainable fuel, following FIA rules for the Stock category. In fact, the transmission and driveline layout remain unchanged which proves how capable the production Defender already is.
Defender Dakar D7X-R interior
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Built
Although its core structure remains stock, the D7X-R gets heavy upgrades to survive Dakar’s brutal conditions like-
Defender Dakar D7X-R Built
Suspension from BILSTEIN
Defender Rally partnered with BILSTEIN, which is known worldwide for high-performance suspension. The D7X-R gets-
Defender Dakar D7X-R
Desert Cockpit
From the inside it has FIA-approved bucket seats, 6-point racing harness, driver-configurable motorsport dashboard, rally navigation system and head-up display and strengthened roll cage. Everything is designed to keep the crews safe and comfortable during 80+ hours of extreme driving.
Defender Dakar D7X-R
The D7X-R debuts a new “Geopalette” livery combining sand, stone and earth shades with a touch of aqua. These colours are inspired by the desert landscapes of Dakar.
Driver Lineup
Three experienced teams will pilot the Defender Dakar D7X-R:
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Shivani Sharmma is a passionate and driven automotive enthusiast with over seven years of diversified experience in journalism, content strategy, auto… View More
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