In its first-ever Dakar Rally entry, Defender has won the Stock class of the Dakar Rally. Not quietly. Not by survival alone. But by finishing first and second in the toughest production-based category in rally-raid.

A Debut Written in Results

The winning crew, Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal, secured the Stock class victory with a cumulative time of 58 hours, 9 minutes and 45 seconds. Teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman completed the rally in second position, while Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge brought their car home in fourth.

For a debut factory programme, the numbers are stark. Across the 13 stages, Defender Rally crews achieved a 1-2-3 result on ten occasions. Between them, the three Defender Dakar D7X-Rs covered more than 24,000 kilometres of competition and liaison across Saudi Arabia.

This was not a learning exercise. It was a statement.

Stage 13: Finishing the Job

The overall win was sealed on the final day. Baciuška and Vidal claimed victory on Stage 13 in a time of 55 minutes and 51 seconds, with Peterhansel and Metge close behind, and Price and Berriman completing the podium positions for the day.

The order reflected the wider rally. Pace without panic. Pressure without mistakes. And three cars reaching the finish line together.

Built From Production, Tested by Dakar

At the centre of the victory is the Defender Dakar D7X-R, competing in the Stock category for production-based vehicles. The relevance of that classification has grown with every stage.

Each D7X-R begins life on the same body assembly line in Nitra, Slovakia, as a customer Defender. It retains the aluminium D7x architecture, transmission layout and driveline of the Defender OCTA, along with the mechanically unchanged 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Competition modifications are functional and regulated: wider track, increased ride height, uprated suspension and enhanced cooling to survive W2RC conditions.

Dakar does not reward theory. Over two weeks, the Defender formula proved itself the hard way.

Voices From the Finish Line

Rokas Baciuška did not hide the scale of the moment.

“Dreams come true, you know, and it was my dream to win Dakar. For the first year for Defender, it’s amazing. Our mechanics did a great job – what they do is unbelievable, working every day until early in the morning to prepare the cars for the next stage. I give my thanks to them, the engineers, the entire team because without them, we would not be here. It’s great to be P1 and P2.”

For Sara Price, the emotional weight of the finish mattered as much as the result.

“Dakar Rally was just incredible. We had a goal at the final stage to get to the finish line as a team together. So to see the whole Defender team sitting there at the finish line and all their excitement and emotions, it just shows what this is all about and what it means. To get this team to the finish line in P1 and P2 is just, wow, incredible.”

Peterhansel, fourteen-time Dakar winner and no stranger to perspective, summed it up with characteristic honesty.

“Overall, it was a Dakar with full emotion – sometimes up, sometimes down. The main target was to win the Stock class, and Rokas finished first and Sara second. For me, it’s not exactly the result I expected, but I’m super happy because it was a really nice Dakar with a super good team and team spirit.”

A Team Victory

Behind the drivers, the scale of the operation never wavered. Nights spent rebuilding cars. Early mornings. No shortcuts. Consistency over heroics.

Managing Director Mark Cameron described the finish as a moment that will take time to settle.

“I feel exhilarated, amazed, and I can’t believe it. To see the three Defenders come over the line together, it’s the culmination of an incredible team effort. To win in our first race and also come second in such style – the team spirit has been incredible.”

Team Principal Ian James echoed that sentiment.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team. Not only that we’ve won Dakar, but the manner in which everybody has pulled together throughout has been outstanding. A huge congratulations to Rokas and Oriol, and to every member of the team who made this possible.”

What Comes Next

The Dakar Rally was the opening round of the World Rally-Raid Championship. Defender Rally’s season continues at the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal from 17–22 March 2026.

Dakar has been conquered. The championship continues. And Defender’s first chapter in rally-raid history has been written in permanent ink.

About Defender Rally

Defender has always traded on the idea of going where others stop. Defender Rally takes that philosophy to its logical extreme, proving capability, reliability and endurance in the most demanding environments motorsport can offer.

In 2025, Defender became the official vehicle partner of the Dakar Rally, a partnership confirmed through 2026, 2027 and 2028. From 2026, the programme steps up further, with Defender entering the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in the Stock category as part of a planned three-year factory campaign.

The Dakar Rally remains the ultimate test of Defender’s core attributes. The competition car retains the same purpose-engineered D7x body architecture as the production Defender, based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque that delivers exceptional stiffness and durability. Power comes from the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 used in the Defender OCTA, chosen for its drivability and resilience under sustained load.

Although Defender did not compete at Dakar until 2026, its involvement began a year earlier. At the 2025 event, a fleet of 20 Defenders supported the rally as official vehicles, transporting race officials and VIP media from the start in Bisha to the finish in Shubaytah. In addition, six highly specialised Defender reconnaissance vehicles are being used by Dakar organisers to plan routes for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 events.

The post Defender Wins Dakar Rally 2026 Stock Class on Historic Factory Debut appeared first on overland-europe.

Six stages down. Six Stock class wins. Three cars still running. As the 2026 Dakar pauses for its lone Rest Day, Defender’s debut factory effort sits exactly where few newcomers ever do: leading the field.

Six Stages. Six Wins.

The opening half of Dakar 2026 has delivered no gentle introduction. Over six punishing stages across Saudi Arabia, the Defender Dakar D7X-R has claimed victory in the Stock category every single day.

Each of Defender Rally’s three driver pairings has taken two stage wins apiece. Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge. Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal. Sara Price and Sean Berriman. Different terrains, different challenges, same result.

By the close of Stage 6, Baciuška and Vidal lead the Stock class overall on a cumulative time of 29 hours, 12 minutes and 58 seconds. Peterhansel and Metge sit second, with Price and Berriman holding fourth. Seven stages still remain. Nothing is decided.

Stage Six: The Longest Day Yet

If Dakar was going to expose weakness, Stage 6 was the place. At 920 kilometres including liaison sections, it was the longest day of the rally so far.

American duo Sara Price and Sean Berriman mastered deep sand and demanding dunes to take the stage win in 4:32:10. Baciuška and Vidal followed closely, with Peterhansel and Metge just seconds further back. The margins were tight. The pace relentless. The cars came home intact.

It was also Price’s first full competitive day in the dunes in the Defender. The result spoke for itself.

Built From Production, Proven Under Pressure

The Defender Dakar D7X-R competes in the Stock category for production-based vehicles, and that distinction matters more with every kilometre completed.

Derived directly from the Defender OCTA, the rally car retains the production model’s aluminium D7x body architecture, driveline, transmission and mechanically unchanged 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Competition modifications are purposeful rather than theatrical: wider track, increased ride height, uprated suspension and enhanced cooling for sustained punishment.

Six stages in, the formula is working.

A Team Effort, Not a Moment

Behind the results is a relentless operational rhythm. Cars rebuilt nightly. Data analysed. Strategy adjusted. Consistency prioritised over bravado.

As Defender Rally’s technical leadership has been keen to underline, reaching halfway in front is an achievement. Finishing remains the objective. Dakar has a long memory, and it rarely forgives complacency.

Dakar, On and Off the Stages

While the rally unfolds across Saudi Arabia, Defender’s Dakar story extends beyond the bivouac. Support from partners including Castrol, YETI, Bilstein and Bell & Ross underpins the campaign, while a collaboration with Epic Games brings the Defender Dakar D7X-R into Fortnite and Rocket League, complete with official livery.

Seven stages remain. The terrain will change again. Fatigue will grow. And Dakar will continue to ask questions.

At halfway, Defender is answering them calmly. The harder half still lies ahead.

The post Defender Leads Stock Class at Dakar Rally 2026 as Event Reaches Halfway Point appeared first on overland-europe.

This is Defender Rally’s competitive debut, and it comes at the sharp end of the calendar. Dakar is round one of the World Rally‑Raid Championship (W2RC), and there are no warm-up laps here. Nearly 5,000 kilometres of timed stages across Saudi Arabia. Two weeks of sand, stone, heat, fatigue, and mechanical attrition. One rest day. Everything else is earned.

Three Cars. Three Stories. One Objective.

Defender Rally arrives with a three-car entry, each piloted by a driver who knows exactly what Dakar demands.

• Stéphane Peterhansel, the most decorated Dakar competitor in history, paired with co-driver Mika Metge
• Rokas Baciuška, backed by Oriol Vidal
• Sara Price, joined by Sean Berriman

Experience, hunger, and composure under pressure. Dakar rewards none of these on their own. You need all three.

The Machine: Defender Dakar D7X-R

The vehicle making its competitive bow is the Defender Dakar D7X-R, entered in the new ‘Stock’ category for production-based vehicles. This matters. Stock is where credibility lives. It is where manufacturers must prove not just speed, but durability, architecture, and restraint.

The D7X-R is derived directly from the Defender OCTA, Defender’s most capable production model to date. Under rally regulations, the changes are purposeful rather than theatrical: a wider track, increased ride height, uprated suspension, enhanced cooling, and protection suited to weeks of punishment rather than showroom conditions.

Crucially, the fundamentals remain untouched. The body is built on the same production line in Nitra, Slovakia, using Defender’s aluminium D7x architecture. The transmission and driveline layout mirror the road car. Power comes from the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, mechanically unchanged and running on advanced sustainable fuel.

This is not a costume. It is a production vehicle pushed to its legal limits.

Why Dakar, Why Now?

Dakar has a habit of stripping brands back to their core. There is no marketing department in the dunes. Only what survives, and what doesn’t.

For Defender, the logic is clear. If you want to demonstrate real-world capability, you go where finishing is an achievement and failure is public. The Stock category offers the most honest comparison, and Dakar remains the hardest reference point in rally-raid.

As Team Principal Ian James puts it: finishing alone is a milestone. Competitiveness is earned stage by stage. The ambition is clear, but so is the respect for the terrain.

Partners Built for Endurance

Alongside the competitive debut comes an expansion of Defender Rally’s partner ecosystem.

Joining existing partners Castrol and Bilstein, and suppliers Shackleton and Alpinestars, are two new official names:

• YETI, supplying coolers, bags, and drinkware designed for extreme environments
• Bell & Ross, providing precision timing instruments engineered for harsh operational conditions

Both partnerships align with Dakar’s unspoken rule: anything that fails becomes irrelevant. These are tools, not accessories.

Dakar Goes Digital

In a modern twist, the Defender Dakar D7X-R will also appear in Fortnite and Rocket League, extending the rally story beyond bivouacs and timing controls into digital culture.

It is a calculated move, but not a hollow one. Dakar has always been about storytelling as much as speed. This simply changes the medium.

The Start Line Is Only the Beginning

On paper, this is a debut. In reality, this puts reputation on the line.

Dakar will test the Defender Dakar D7X-R in ways no press launch ever could. It will test the drivers’ judgment, the engineers’ preparation, and the brand’s confidence in its own hardware. The result will be measured not just in positions, but in whether all three cars make it to the finish.

On 3 January, the clocks start. The sand waits. And Defender finally finds out what it has built.

Follow Defender’s Dakar Rally journey on Defender YouTube to learn more about the Defender Dakar D7X‑R, the drivers and for race updates.

The post Defender Steps Onto the Dakar Stage as the 2026 Rally-Raid Season Begins appeared first on overland-europe.

Meet the Defender OCTA Black – the all-black apex predator of the Defender family. Not a limited edition. Not a styling pack. This is the top-spec, twin-turbo V8 performance machine reimagined as a stealth weapon. It’s as if Land Rover dropped it into a vat of Narvik Black and let it crawl out angrier, bolder, and louder than ever.

This isn’t “black pack” badge filler. We’re talking 30 individual components redressed in Satin and Gloss Black – from the quad exhaust tips to the recovery eyes, grille badge, tow hooks, and even the underbody silencer cover. The result? A presence that doesn’t just turn heads – it owns the room before it even arrives.

Blacked Out. Maxed Out.

The Narvik Black paint is the deepest, darkest shade in the Defender catalogue – finished in gloss as standard, or optional Matte Protective Film if you’d rather keep the vibe more tactical. There’s no chrome, no contrast, no apology. Just black-on-black aggression.

It’s not just the top coat that got the treatment. Satin Black powder-coat covers the front undershield and rear scuff plates. The exhaust cover? Gloss black. Centre box and tow eye? Black. Even the Defender script and brake calipers play along – the latter in gloss with a whisper of Sentient Silver branding.

Want more grip or more drama? Choose between 20-inch forged alloys or 22-inch gloss black wheels – both wearing black centre caps and wrapped in all-terrain confidence.

Tough Luxury, Re-Engineered

Step inside and you’ll find Defender’s most luxurious interior to date. Not posh. Purposeful. The new OCTA Black debuts Ebony Semi-Aniline Leather with Kvadrat™, giving the performance seats a soft, textured finish that still laughs in the face of rough weather.

The stitching is unique. The seatbacks and hinge arms are finished in Carpathian Grey. Even the exposed Cross Car Beam is coated in Satin Black powder, keeping the inside as stealthy as the shell. And if you want to notch things up a bit? Opt for the Chopped Carbon Fibre trim – lightweight, sculpted, and pure Bond villain theatre.

OCTA Power: Performance, Not Pretend

The powertrain’s untouched – and rightly so. Because underneath all the black lies a 635PS 4.4-litre Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8, backed up by 6D Dynamics hydraulic suspension and a purpose-built OCTA Mode for hardcore off-road antics.

It’s fast. It’s sharp. And it handles like no Defender before it – flat through corners, smooth over ruts, and grinning on the downslope.

And just in case you forgot this thing’s rock-star DNA: look at the Body and Soul Seats (BASS). Developed with SUBPAC™, they use AI-enhanced audio signals to let you feel the music through your back. Basslines become bodylines. The 700W Meridian™ Surround Sound System does the rest. No nightclub required.

Yes, It’s Going on Tour

You’d expect a vehicle like this to make a statement. But Defender OCTA Black is literally hitting the road with Oasis Live ’25, acting as the official automotive partner for the band’s long-awaited world tour. Because if there’s one thing that screams British rock-and-roll with a side of gravel, it’s a murdered-out V8 Defender with quad pipes and a bone-rattling sound system.

You might not be Liam Gallagher, but in this thing, you won’t exactly go unnoticed.

More Than a Pretty Black Face

OCTA Black isn’t just a cosmetic remix. It inherits the full raft of 2025 Defender upgrades too:

• New signature LED headlights
• Smoked rear lights
• Revised grille details
• Updated 13.1″ Pivi Pro touchscreen for cleaner, sharper infotainment
• Enhanced interior materials and functionality

It joins the growing OCTA line-up, including Sargasso Blue and Borasco Grey variants. Charente Grey and Petra Copper also stay on the books, with Patagonia White Matte Wrap due later this year for those brave enough to try white on an off-roader.

But for now? Black is king.

Mark Cameron, Defender’s Managing Director, puts it like this:

“There’s no denying the presence and purpose of Defender OCTA: it’s the tallest and widest Defender, enabling it to tackle even more extreme terrain.

We know our clients love giving their Defenders all-black finishes, so our designers have applied this principle to every possible surface – inside and out – to create the ultimate tough luxury Defender OCTA.”

In short: this is Defender in full beast mode. Not domesticated. Not diluted. Just refined enough to make you feel like a gentleman while still picking gravel out of your tread.

Who’s It For?

Let’s be honest – OCTA Black isn’t aimed at casual SUV owners. This is for people who want to make a statement without shouting. Who like their gear tough, their music loud, and their tracks unpaved. It’s for those who know where low range is, but still want their interior to feel like a high-end lounge. And yes, it’s also for those who want to arrive like thunder.

DEFENDER

The post DEFENDER OCTA BLACK: Built to roar, dressed to kill appeared first on overland-europe.

If you’ve ever looked at your Defender and thought, “Yeah, I could take this thing across a canyon”, this is for you. If you’ve got the appetite to drive hard, think fast, sweat plenty — and still care enough to leave the place better than you found it — then buckle up.

Because the prize isn’t just bragging rights. It’s legacy.

A Global Call to the Adventure-Hungry

Inspired by the legendary Trophy and Challenge events of Land Rover’s past, Defender Trophy 2025–26 is a multi-stage global challenge designed to separate the fair-weather travellers from the true expedition souls.

The format? Brutal, brilliant, and beautiful. Entrants from more than 50 countries will battle their way through local selections this year. Regional finals follow next spring. And those who make the cut? They’ll be flown to Africa in 2026 for a global showdown — hosted in collaboration with Tusk, Defender’s long-standing conservation partner.

The final won’t just test driving skills. Expect navigation chaos, physical exhaustion, and problem solving under pressure. Think less luxury safari, more off-road chess with altitude sickness.

Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose

This isn’t just about getting muddy and high-fiving your way through the wild. At its heart, Defender Trophy has a deeper goal. The global final will culminate in a Tusk-led conservation mission, where winners work hands-on to protect wildlife, support local communities, and leave a tangible legacy.

It’s part Dakar, part outdoor bootcamp, part call to action. And all of it broadcast to a global online audience.

This isn’t adventure theatre. This is real terrain, real stakes, and an unforgettable purpose.

Who Can Apply? (Hint: It’s Not for Everyone)

Defender is looking for people who match the brand’s DNA — resilient, practical, ready for the long haul. You need to be:

• Over 23
• Resident in a participating country
• Able to swim 50m
• Legally allowed to drive and travel internationally
• Fluent in English
• And above all: ready to go beyond your comfort zone

If that’s you, you can apply now. But fair warning: this isn’t a Sunday drive with a camera crew. This is a challenge that will stretch you mentally and physically. If you’re soft on effort or allergic to sand, this might not be your scene.

→ Full details here: DEFENDER TROPHY

Meet the Machine: The New Defender 110 Trophy Edition

Every epic needs a proper steed. And Land Rover has delivered.

The Defender 110 Trophy Edition is built for the job — expedition-ready, heritage-inspired, and packing the kind of upgrades that matter when things get messy. It comes in two bold colours that echo the spirit of classic Land Rover challenges:

Deep Sandglow Yellow – A modern take on the colour that once marked Land Rovers in desert Trophy events

Keswick Green – A nod to Britain’s rugged countryside and decades of rural exploration

Each comes with the option of a Matte Protective Film, perfect for keeping the bodywork scratch-free when squeezing past acacia branches or bouncing through rocky passes.

The exterior is finished with black detailing — from 20-inch alloy wheels and undershields to wheel arches and recovery eyes. Inside, you get Ebony Windsor leather, illuminated Defender Trophy treadplates, and an exposed crossbeam colour-matched to the body, complete with laser-etched Trophy branding.

And the optional gear list? Built for the real world:

• Expedition roof rack
• Deployable roof ladder
• Side-mounted gear carrier (for wet, sandy, or smelly kit)
• Classic mud flaps, raised air intake, and more

It’s a limited edition vehicle, but more importantly, it’s a statement: you’re either in the wild, or you’re just talking about it.

The Format: No Passengers Allowed

Once the final teams are selected, they’ll head to Africa — destination undisclosed, for now — for a multi-stage adventure with three key challenge types:

1. Driving Challenges
   Navigation, obstacle handling, and vehicle control over rough and unpredictable terrain. Expect rocky climbs, soft sand, river crossings, and a heavy dose of “did we just go the wrong way?”
2. Ingenuity Challenges
   Think fast, work smart, stay calm. Teams will face timed puzzles, mechanical improvisation, and real-world problem solving — often in adverse conditions.
3. Physical Challenges
   Canyons. Rivers. Boulders. Sandstorms. These will test endurance, strength, coordination, and team cohesion under pressure.

Each competitor is scored individually. But in an interesting twist, the lowest-ranked driver after each stage gets first pick of teammate for the next. It’s tactical, dynamic, designed to keep every competitor in the game — and under pressure.

A New Generation of Defender Heroes

The original Trophy events were gritty, unforgettable affairs. Defender Trophy takes that same raw adventure ethos and plants it firmly in the now. This isn’t just a heritage nod. It’s the start of something new.

By the end of 2026, a new group of modern adventurers will have taken on this challenge and left a mark — not only on each other, but on the communities and landscapes they pass through. With Tusk’s conservation mission at the heart of the final stage, the event becomes more than a test of courage. It becomes a force for good.

“Global adventure and community have been the fabric of the Defender brand’s DNA for decades, staying true to its roots that can be traced back to the original Land Rover of 1948. Our unique new global adventure challenge will bring nations together, as competitors co-operate to navigate tough terrain, conquer extreme physical challenges and solve tactical tests – all united by a greater purpose.

Working with Tusk, our conservation partner of more than 20 years, we will bring epic adventure to a new generation of enthusiasts, watching online, while leaving a legacy we can be proud of. If you embrace the impossible and share our unstoppable spirit of adventure, this is the challenge for you.“

— Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender

Are You Made for It?

If the idea of sitting behind a desk for another year fills you with dread… if you’d rather be sweating your way up a mountainside than stuck in traffic… if you think the best travel stories are the ones that start with “well, we nearly didn’t make it” — then Defender Trophy was built for you.

Applications are now open. The countdown has begun. The only question left is:

Are you ready to embrace the impossible?

Find out more and apply here:


DEFENDER TROPHY

The post Defender: Built to Brawl. Styled to Stay. Now It’s Taking You to Africa. appeared first on overland-europe.

She’s fast. She’s fierce. And she’s the final piece in a Defender D7X‑R driver line-up that now includes Dakar king Stéphane Peterhansel and rising Lithuanian ace Rokas Baciuška.

Together, they’ll take on the ‘Stock’ category of the 2026 Dakar Rally, each behind the wheel of a production-based Defender D7X‑R — Land Rover’s new rally weapon. If anyone thought this was a branding exercise, they’re clearly not watching closely enough.

Sara Price: Racer from the Ground Up

Sara Price started racing motorcycles at age eight in Southern California. By sixteen, she’d stacked up 19 national titles and gone pro — eventually becoming an X Games medallist. Then she switched to four wheels and got even faster.

She’s not just a rider with a PR-friendly backstory. She’s won in everything from SCORE Baja Trophy Trucks to Extreme E, where she drove for Chip Ganassi Racing and became their first female race winner. In 2024, she entered Dakar for the first time — and made history as the first American woman (and only the third woman ever) to win a Dakar stage.

She didn’t just show up. She finished fourth overall in her class. Took the Best Rookie title. And earned the respect of the bivouac.

Now she joins Defender’s first works team campaign at Dakar — a landmark move for both brand and driver.

“To join Defender for its Dakar debut is a huge honour,” says Price.
“The testing and prep going on behind the scenes is insanely impressive. I’m a racer through and through, and with Defender, we’re aiming high — we won’t rest until we succeed.”

No Tokens, No Tourists — Just Talent

Let’s be clear: Sara Price wasn’t signed to tick a diversity box. She’s there to win. Defender’s no longer just a nameplate on coffee mugs — it’s putting rubber to rally-raid, and Sara’s one of the few with the grit to match it.

As Mark Cameron, Defender’s Managing Director, puts it:

“Signing the brilliantly talented Sara Price is a huge moment. She joins a strong-minded, skilled line-up that will showcase what Defender can do — and what human endurance looks like — in Dakar’s toughest conditions.”

A Line-Up Built to Last (and Win)

With Peterhansel, Baciuška, and Price, Land Rover isn’t fielding rookies. They’re throwing down a serious challenge in the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) — starting at Dakar and continuing across the season.

Each D7X‑R is built from the same aluminium monocoque as the road-going Defender, tuned for the ‘Stock’ class. That means no crazy one-off prototypes. Just smart engineering, tough components, and drivers who know how to suffer for speed.

Testing is already in full swing, across sand, rocks, and terrain most SUVs would never dream of. Defender wants to prove itself — and it’s doing it the hard way.

James Barclay, JLR Motorsport boss, sums it up:

“Sara’s trailblazing achievements and determination make her a perfect fit. She’s earned this opportunity, and we’re proud to have her racing for us.”

This Is Not a Drill

There’s nothing token or half-hearted about Defender’s Dakar debut. They’ve built the cars. Signed the drivers. And they’re already in the dirt, figuring out how to make a stock-spec 4×4 do the work of a race car.

Sara Price is part of that process now. Not as a passenger — but as a competitor with a track record of winning in tough, dirty places.

Three cars. One goal. No shortcuts.

The post Sara Price Joins DEFENDER For Dakar 2026 — And She’s Not Here To Play Nice appeared first on overland-europe.

Defender: Official Car Partner of Dakar Rally 2025-2028

From 2025, Defender will serve as the official car partner of the Dakar Rally, solidifying its place as a global leader in rugged adventure vehicles. As part of the partnership, a fleet of Defenders will transport rally officials and VIP media throughout the event, ensuring smooth operations even in the harshest environments.

Additionally, six specially modified Defender recce vehicles will support Dakar’s organisers, scouting future routes and reinforcing Defender’s reputation for reliability in extreme conditions. The collaboration runs through 2028, ensuring a lasting presence for Defender in this legendary rally raid.

Defender Works Team to Compete in 2026 Dakar Rally

Defender’s ambitions go beyond supporting the rally. In 2026, the brand will field a Defender works team, marking its debut as a competitor in the Dakar Rally. This groundbreaking entry will demonstrate the extreme off-road capability of the Defender in the most challenging motorsport event on the planet.

Further details of the Defender rally raid program will be revealed during the 2025 Dakar Rally, offering a glimpse into how the brand plans to tackle this monumental challenge.

Leaders Speak on Defender’s Dakar Journey

Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, highlighted the synergy between Defender’s heritage and Dakar’s spirit of adventure:

“Adventure is in the very DNA of the Defender brand, so we are inspired to partner with Dakar – the ultimate motorsport adventure – where competitors truly embrace the impossible.

Our partnership begins in 2025 when Defender will showcase its capability and durability as the official car of the event, but we are already looking to the future and entering a Defender Dakar works team from 2026. That Defender Dakar works programme will be led by James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director, and I know James and his team are inspired by the challenge that lays ahead.”

James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director, emphasised the significance of the Dakar Rally in motorsport and Defender’s commitment to success:

“Anyone who loves motorsport will have a passion for Dakar. It’s the Everest of motorsport and an event where success is dependent as much on human determination in the toughest of conditions as it is the ultimate test for vehicle and engineering capability. Bringing the world’s most capable and iconic 4×4 to the world’s most iconic rally-raid is a perfect fit.

Our first-ever factory entry into the Dakar means we are right at the beginning of our journey. We are conscious of how much we have to learn and achieve before taking the start in 2026, but we are already well under way and looking forward to the adventure. We will share more details of this exciting programme at the Dakar rally in 2025.”

Dakar Rally Welcomes Defender Partnership

David Castera, Director of the Dakar Rally, praised the collaboration as a meeting of like-minded pioneers:

“We are thrilled to welcome Defender as the new official car partner of the Dakar. It is an iconic brand, present on all continents, that shares our passion for adventure, performance, and innovation.

We are also excited that Defender will accompany us throughout the year, providing vehicles for the organising teams and for the route reconnaissance. Their reliability and robustness will help us improve our daily efficiency. Furthermore, starting in 2026, Defender will enter the competition as an official team. Together, we will shine a spotlight on Dakar on the international stage and offer a unique experience to all.”

Dakar 2025: The Next Frontier for Defender

The 2025 Dakar Rally, the 47th edition of the event, will once again test human and machine against the harshest terrains. Stretching from Bisha to Shubaytah, the course culminates in the Empty Quarter – a brutal three-day trial of endurance and grit. Defender vehicles will provide vital support throughout, ensuring rally operations run seamlessly.

As Defender gears up for its 2026 works team debut, this partnership solidifies its reputation as the pinnacle of off-road engineering and adventure. With an unmatched commitment to pushing boundaries, Defender and Dakar together promise to redefine the future of rally raid competition.

LAND ROVER

The post DEFENDER PARTNERS WITH DAKAR RALLY appeared first on overland-europe.

It seems that JLR doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunities either as their heritage division, Land Rover Classic, continues to uphold the spirit of the past by introducing handmade limited edition models – some of them powered by the most impressive V8s.

At this year’s Goodwood Revival, Land Rover Classic introduced a curated new collection of original OEM quality parts and accessories for the Classic Defender. Let’s face it, the Classic Defender (with its legacy reaching back to 1948 and no less than 70 years of global expedition history) is surely the original adventure vehicle.

The selection of new parts and accessories was showcased on their stand in the ‘Over The Road’ area of the Goodwood Revival. Five vehicles made up the display, led by the Expedition Camper from Land Rover Classic.  

The ultimate camping vehicle features a new Land Rover Classic approved interior conversion from partner The Ply Guys, and a similarly officially approved new roof tent from TentBox, which will be available early next year, on the outside.

The Expedition Camper by Land Rover Classic was joined at the event by a Black Pack equipped Classic Defender 110 Hard Top, a heritage themed 90 Station Wagon, and two Trophy support trucks clad in accessories from the exclusive Land Rover Classic Trophy I and Trophy II client events.

Glen Kelly, Head of Parts and Accessories, Land Rover Classic: “In the Expedition Camper, the team have created a stunning vehicle that showcases the adventure capability of the iconic Classic Defender. Alongside this vehicle, was an impressive display of our official authentic Land Rover Classic parts and accessories, fitted to a variety of different Classic Defenders, all with individual looks to suit different tastes. We are reacting constantly to customer demand for OEM quality items in the aftermarket, and engineer and source our parts and accessories to the highest standards. Both The Ply Guys and TentBox are ideal partners as they both clearly share our commitment to quality, and love the Classic Defender as much as our customers do.“

EXPEDITION READY

The Expedition Camper by Land Rover Classic features several new products available via Classic’s extensive catalogue of parts and accessories – all designed to make the Classic Defender the perfect companion for overland trips. It combines a bespoke approved interior conversion from specialists, The Ply Guys, and a curated collection of official original exterior additions alongside a new roof tent installation from experts TentBox.  

The Expedition Camper’s exterior features a range of accessories designed to enhance the capability and durability of Classic Defender, including a Land Rover Approved TentBox Cargo roof tent. It features unique heritage branding on the front and rear of the tent shell, with unique Desert Sand colourway and branding for the tent canvas, referencing the equipment used in Land Rover expeditions from the past. It will be compatible with both the Classic Defender 90 and 110 when it is launched in early 2024 and will ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, wherever clients choose to set up camp.

EXTERIOR FEATURES

• TentBox Cargo Roof Tent (available early 2024)   
• LED headlamps  
• Sidesteps 
• Black Sawtooth wheels with black centre caps 
• Black exterior pack – grille, headlight surrounds, metal heritage badging – and Black bolt kit 

Other enhancements delivered by the specialist team at Land Rover Classic include a bespoke interior, consisting of premium front seats with contrast stitching in yellow and electric blue piping, tied in with Harris Tweed on the centre console and the rear benches. The fully approved conversion by camper specialists, The Ply Guys, ensures the Defender is ready for anything. The hand-crafted furniture is built with adventure in mind, featuring modular components that can be specified in one of many combinations.

INTERIOR FEATURES

• Land Rover Urlar floor –Black Hexa 12mm with pinstripe detailing 
• Croch Suas ceiling with integrated downlights – 6.5mm Natural Birch with engraving detail 
• Land Rover Torridon Cook Station with slide out storage  
• Gairdean Land Rover Cubby Box – bespoke version for Land Rover Classic 
• Land Rover Expedition Unit – Low level pull out drawer with lockers. In Black Hexa birch ply  
• Land Rover 110 Kitchen Module – Low level worktop with top down access hatches. Flip up prep/work benches.  
• Harris Tweed upholstery – For base cushions and infill cushions

CUSTOM DESIGNED

The Expedition Camper wasn’t the only unique Classic Defender at The Revival this year. It was joined by a Black Pack equipped 110 Hard Top with a combination of official parts and accessories that showcased the level of personalisation possible from Land Rover Classic; including Black Exterior Pack, 18-inch diamond-cut Sawtooth alloy wheels, LED lights, and Expedition roof rack and ladder. Inside, a leather steering wheel and 60th Anniversary edition SVX alloy gear knob and transfer box knob provide a premium finish.  

A 90 Station Wagon with a heritage look provided an entirely different character on the stand at Goodwood Revival. It features bright silver finishes for an understated luxury aesthetic, including the Silver Exterior Pack and silver painted 16-inch Wolf steel wheels. Contemporary LED rear lights and a Rubber Loadspace Liner enhance practicality and protection.  

A pair of Defender Trophy Support Trucks were also on display. Each built to support the exclusive Classic Land Rover Trophy I and Trophy II client events, they are fitted with parts that elevate the capability and enhance the look of classic Defender models, which are now available to customers: 

The Trophy I Tribute Pack includes a Heritage grille with metal heritage badge. A-Frame nudge bar and installation kit, integrated winch and winch bumper, plus distinctive painted 16-inch Wolf steel wheels.

The Trophy II Tribute Pack includes an adventure front grille and metal heritage badge, complemented by black Defender script and headlamp surrounds. There is also an eye-catching full Expedition Camo wrap, with black 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels, an integrated winch and winch bumper, and mudflaps with white heritage logos.

This collection of unique, individual vehicles showcases the full breadth of the Land Rover Classic parts and accessories catalogue, catering for customers who demand OEM engineered parts in the aftermarket, that deliver the opportunity to customise and enjoy the Classic Defender as it should be.

LAND ROVER CLASSIC

The post Authentic and Original: Land Rover Classic introduces new Classic Defender for your next adventure appeared first on overland-europe.