Defender Octa confirmed as base vehicle for 2026 Dakar campaign
LAND ROVER HAS CONFIRMED that its entry in the 2026 Dakar rally will use vehicles derived from the Defender Octa. The high-performance halo model at the top of the Defender range, which is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine and costs from £145,300 in the UK, will compete in a revamped version of the Dakar’s Stock class which this year had only one finisher
The Defender works team, whose campaign is being masterminded by Prodrive, will also take part in the 2026 FIA
World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC), of which the Dakar is part. In response to the growing popularity of high-powered 4x4s and SUVs, the FIA has introduced new regulations for vehicles in the Stock class, for production-based vehicles, which allow increased performance. In Land Rover’s words, this makes it an ideal way to ‘authentically demonstrate Defender’s extreme durability and capability.’
Two Defenders will run in all five rounds of the W2RC, with a third joining them for the Dakar. Drivers are yet to be announced, however with the top names in desert racing routinely switching allegiance as manufacturers come and go, Land Rover will inevitably be in discussion with a number of leading lights.
Read the full article at https://shop.assignmentmedia.co.uk/issue/4x4202503
