- The race-prepped version of the Defender Octa will retain the road model’s D7X architecture.
- Land Rover will also use the standard model’s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 from BMW.
- The Octa is the fastest and most capable model to ever wear the Defender badge.
A couple of months after Land Rover confirmed that the Defender would compete in the 2026 Dakar Rally, the automaker has revealed the racing model will be based on the flagship Defender Octa. It will compete in the Dakar’s ‘Stock’ racing category as part of a slew of heavily-revised regulations.
Land Rover is proudly stating that the Defender Octa is “the fastest and most capable Defender ever made,” so it makes sense it will serve as the base for the racer. Not only will it compete at Dakar, but it’ll also race throughout 2026’s FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Two examples will be used through all five rounds of the series, while a third entry will be added for the Dakar Rally.
Taking Advantage Of New Regulations
New regulations from the FIA are looking to respond to growing demand for high-performance 4x4s and SUVs. As such, vehicles competing in the ‘Stock’ category will share many features with their road-going compatriots. By comparison, current cars in the Rally Raid championship, like the Dacia Sandrider and Ford Raptor T1+, are purpose-built prototypes with few (if any) links to street-legal models.
Read: Frustrated Defender Owners Sue Land Rover Over Windshields That Won’t Stop Cracking
Just like the Defender Octa available from Land Rover dealers, the racing model will use the same D7x architecture, built around a lightweight aluminum monocoque. It’ll also retain the standard model’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. This powertrain has been sourced from BMW and churns out 626 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm), easily making the Octa the most powerful Defender ever. Working alongside this V8 is an eight-speed transmission with a twin-speed transfer box offering high and low-range modes.
JLR Wants To Prove The Defender’s Off-Road Credentials In Competition
“Defender competing in Dakar will be an incredibly exciting challenge,” JLR Motorsport managing director James Barclay said. “We had a vision for the future of production-based vehicles in rally-raid so it has been incredibly positive to align with the ASO, FIA and other manufacturers and work collaboratively to create the new regulations for the ‘Stock’ category.
“We now have the right platform to authentically demonstrate Defender’s capability in the biggest challenge in off-road motorsport. Ahead of us is a year of detailed preparation, testing and learning to be ready for Dakar 2026. The team are already well underway and we are very much looking forward to competing in both Dakar and W2RC – the world’s toughest off-road events.”
