Defender, Land Rover’s “luxury British adventure brand” are taking their expertise further off the beaten track, this time for competitive reasons! A works team will compete in the 2026 FIA World Rally Raid Championship as part of a three year campaign, that includes Dakar.
The team will enter two vehicles to participate in all five rounds of W2RC and then three cars to race in the Dakar Rally, the series’ most famous event. Defender will compete in an all new ‘Stock’ category for production based vehicles, the aim is to show off the brand’s incredible off road capability and ruggedness.
Not only will they compete in the Championship but Defender have also entered an agreement to supply 20 support and recce vehicles for the Dakar Rally, beginning this year and continuing until 2028 for now.
Testing and development of these race ready Defenders are currently underway in preparation for the 2026 season with a team launch scheduled for next year!
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Words by Matthew D’Souza, media courtesy of Land Rover Media.
