Land Rover Defender Announces Historic Entry into Dakar Rally Stock Category for 2026
Land Rover has unveiled ambitious plans to enter the prestigious Dakar Rally with its iconic Defender model, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s motorsport history. The manufacturer will field a works team in the FIA World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC) starting in 2026, with a particular focus on the championship’s crown jewel event – the Dakar Rally.
The comprehensive three-year program will see Land Rover commit to running two Defender vehicles across all five rounds of the W2RC championship from 2026 to 2028. During the legendary Dakar Rally, the team will expand to three vehicles, demonstrating their serious commitment to success in the world’s most challenging off-road competition.
Land Rover has strategically chosen to compete in the FIA’s Stock category, which is specifically designed for production-based vehicles. This decision aligns perfectly with the timing of new technical regulations being implemented in 2026, which promise to make the category more competitive and challenging than ever before.
The Defender’s participation in this category will showcase its exceptional capabilities, building on its renowned D7x architecture. This platform, where ‘x’ stands for extreme, features a lightweight aluminum monocoque construction that delivers impressive structural rigidity – three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs. This inherent strength makes the Defender particularly well-suited to withstand the punishing conditions of desert racing.
Behind the scenes, Land Rover’s engineering team has already initiated an extensive competition development program. The project will reach a crucial milestone in autumn 2025 with competitive testing, followed by an official team launch ahead of their 2026 Dakar debut.
Before its competitive debut, the Defender will play an integral role in the 2025 Dakar Rally as the event’s official vehicle partner. A fleet of 20 Defenders will be deployed to transport race officials and VIP media throughout the rally, which runs between Bisha and Shubaytah in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, six specially modified Defender reconnaissance vehicles will be utilized by rally organizers to plan routes for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 events.
This bold move into competitive motorsport represents a new chapter for the Land Rover Defender, allowing the brand to demonstrate its legendary off-road capabilities in the most demanding racing environment possible. The Stock category entry will particularly resonate with customers, as it showcases the production vehicle’s inherent strength and durability under extreme conditions.
The announcement signals Land Rover’s commitment to proving the Defender’s capabilities at the highest level of off-road motorsport, while also establishing a strong presence in the growing W2RC championship. As preparations continue toward the 2026 debut, all eyes will be on how the iconic Defender performs in one of motorsport’s most grueling challenges.
