Overview
- Land Rover previewed the Defender Dakar at Monterey Car Week as a Design Preview model that directly carries over the D7X‑R rally car’s body architecture, transmission and driveline rather than being only a styling package.
- The car uses BMW’s 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 in an unrestricted tune rated at roughly 635 PS (about 467 kW) and 750 Nm of torque, which is higher than the competition‑restricted D7X‑R output.
- Land Rover adapted rally hardware for road use, including a wider track, increased ride height, forged 20‑inch wheels with 35‑inch all‑terrain tyres, coil springs with Bilstein dampers and strengthened underbody protection.
- The Defender Dakar adds purpose‑built software and controls such as Dunes and Gravel drive modes and a road‑legal version of Flight Mode to smooth landings and improve off‑road stability.
- Expressions of interest are open now, reservations will open in early 2027, and Land Rover says deliveries are expected mid‑to‑late 2027 while final production numbers, pricing and some regulatory details remain undisclosed.