Return to the top! Land Rover Defender D7X-R Swept the top two spots in the Dakar Rally's Production Class

The 2026 Dakar Rally concludes, Land Rover Defender D7X-R returns to the race

Sweeping the top two spots in the production category, all three cars successfully finished the race

Enhancing capability based on mass production, demonstrating the core competitiveness of hardcore off-road vehicles.

[PCauto] The 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia has concluded. Known as the "Race of Death," this extreme competition has always been the ultimate testing ground for hardcore vehicles worldwide.

In this year's event, the returning Land Rover Defender D7X-R rally car performed astonishingly well, clinching the top two spots in the production category and achieving a flawless compitition.

Covering nearly 8,000 kilometers across 13 stages, the Dakar Rally is extremely demanding, yet Land Rover managed to deliver an impressive performance in the face of such a challenge.

We learned that the Dakar Rally is far more challenging than ordinary races. Daytime temperatures can reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, while at night they plummet to freezing; sandstorms frequently occur in dune areas, and gravel road sections are rugged and uneven. Every kilometer of the course tests both the vehicle's performance and the driver's willpower.

Even in such harsh conditions, the performance of the Land Rover team remained stable and outstanding. Rokas Baciuska and Oriol Vidal, driving car number 101, secured the championship with a total time of 58 hours, 9 minutes, and 45 seconds.

Sara Price and Sean Berriman, driving car number 102, followed closely with a time of 62 hours, 7 minutes, and 45 seconds to claim second place.

Legendary driver Stephane Peterhansel and Michael Metge, driving car number 103, encountered a sandstorm that delayed them midway. However, thanks to the reliable performance of the vehicle, they still managed to finish in fourth place.

All three cars successfully crossed the finish line, an achievement rarely seen in Dakar history. This result not only reflects the professional skills of the drivers but also fully demonstrates the robust strength of the Land Rover team.

Behind this victory lies the precise balance between the production foundation and racing performance of the D7X-R model. This racing car is based on the road version of the Defender Octa Special Performance Edition and strictly adheres to the FIA production group regulations. Its core advantage lies in further enhancing the original highlights of the production model.

The body retains the iconic D7x all-aluminum high-strength structure of Land Rover, while the engine adopts the same BMW 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbocharged model as the production version.

Modifications catering to racing requirements have been made within compliance limits. This research and development approach, based on a production model, fundamentally ensures the core reliability of the vehicle.

In addition, many detailed designs have also significantly enhanced the performance in the race, becoming key to conquering desert tracks.

A 550-liter large-capacity fuel tank can meet the endurance needs of ultra-long stages; a competition-grade roll cage and a six-point safety harness ensure the safety of the driver. The wheel track is widened by 60 millimeters, and the ground clearance is increased to 370 millimeters. Paired with 35-inch all-terrain tires, the vehicle's passability and driving stability on dune sections are significantly improved.

When the vehicle is airborne, the system automatically adjusts the damping of the Bespidun Custom Shock Absorbers and the torque output. This design minimizes landing impacts to the greatest extent, helping drivers avoid mechanical failures multiple times.

Additionally, the integrated large radiator and optimized engine hood ventilation ensure that the vehicle can operate stably in extremely high-temperature environments.

This victory was not solely due to the driver or the vehicle but was more importantly a result of team collaboration. Before the race, Land Rover collaborated with Bell & Ross to equip every driver and navigator with the BR-X3 Black Titanium watch, which is specifically designed for extreme environments.

The contributions of the behind-the-scenes team were equally critical. After the race, champion driver Rokas Baciuska mentioned that the mechanics worked tirelessly until the early hours every day to ensure the car was in its best condition. Without them, this achievement would not have been possible.

From the driver's precise control, the navigator's professional route judgment, to the support of the logistics team, the all-round efficient collaboration of the Land Rover team is the core confidence to tackle the high-intensity Dakar Rally.

Land Rover's breakthrough this time holds significant meaning in the hardcore off-road sector. The mass production class race is already the ultimate test of a brand's core technology. D7X-R secured victory in its returning race, proving the hardcore capability of the Land Rover Defender family, while challenging the conventional notion that extreme modifications are necessary to win championships.

Land Rover has demonstrated with actual results that high-quality hardcore off-road vehicles can not only provide a comfortable and luxurious driving experience on highways but also maintain stable performance and reliable quality in extreme environments like the Dakar Rally.

The event has now concluded, and the Land Rover Defender Rally Team has set its sights on the upcoming W2RC series.

This successful return to the Dakar Rally stage may just be the starting point of their journey in motorsport events.