Defender Begins Testing Dakar Rally Prototype, Signs Stéphane Peterhansel for 2026 W2RC
Defender has kicked off its official Dakar Rally journey with the first round of testing for its all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype in Morocco and the signing of two world-class drivers for the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
Leading the charge is 14-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel, who joins the team alongside rising Lithuanian talent Rokas Baciuška. Both drivers participated in early testing in the Sahara Desert, where the D7X-R, developed for the W2RC’s ‘Stock’ category, proved its toughness in extreme rally conditions.
Built on the same robust D7x aluminium platform as the production Defender and powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, the D7X-R showcases Defender’s core traits of durability, performance, and unstoppable capability.
James Barclay, Managing Director of JLR Motorsport, said:
“This is a huge milestone in our rally-raid journey. With Peterhansel’s experience and Baciuška’s rising star power, we’re assembling a formidable team.”
The Defender Rally team will compete with three D7X-Rs in the 2026 Dakar Rally and field a two-car entry in the full W2RC season. A third driver and co-driver lineup will be announced soon.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, added:
“The Stock category regulations will allow us to show just how capable our production-based Defender truly is—tested against the world’s harshest terrain.”
The full team and vehicle launch is slated for later this year, as Defender continues intensive preparations for its W2RC debut.
Also Read: Hero MotoSports Signs Rising Rally Star Tobias Ebster
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