Land Rover spoke about the future SUV for the Dakar

It will comply with the Stock category regulations and will be a close relative of the Defender Octa. From the production model, the racing car will receive a chassis, a BMW engine and transmission.

Land Rover has lifted the veil of secrecy over the future SUV, with which the Defender brand will come to the World Rally Championship and, in particular, the Dakar. Starting from the 2026 season, the new car will be available in the Stock category and will be based on the Defender Octa, the top-end version of the current generation model. The racing SUV will share with the production Octa not only the D7x platform, but also the twin-turbo V8 engine and transmission.

Land Rover

According to the plan, two Defenders will take part in the FIA ​​World Rally-Raid Championship, three in Dakar. At the same time, Defender, as an independent brand, will also become the official partner of the rally raid. British SUVs – most likely these will be regular Octas – will begin to carry race organizers and journalists, and in addition, the company will take on the construction of six special “reconnaissance vehicles” for testing future routes.

Land Rover

Perhaps these will also be derivatives of the Octa, because the SUV has everything you need to conquer off-road conditions. The Octa is equipped with a V8 4.4 biturbo engine with a 48-volt starter-generator, 6D Dynamics air suspension from Range Rover Sport and Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers. The ground clearance of the Defender Octa is 28 millimeters (319 mm) higher, it also has improved wheel articulation, and the list of driving modes includes a special profile with settings for high-speed rides off asphalt. Alternatively, the Octa can be replaced with a monocup Defender 90 from Bowler.

Real SUVs: are they even left?