Tag Archives: Land Rover

NEW CARS

Defender Dakar D7X‑R: Britain’s Iconic Off-Roader Tackles the Ultimate Desert Challenge

Land Rover’s Defender is no stranger to adventure, but the all-new Defender Dakar D7X‑R takes the storied British icon into uncharted territory: the 2026 Dakar Rally. Built to compete in the FIA’s new Stock category, the D7X‑R is more than just a rugged production SUV—it’s a purpose-built rally machine, designed to endure the desert’s relentless extremes.

Three elite crews will pilot the Defender Dakar D7X‑R over two grueling weeks, covering roughly 5,000 kilometers of timed stages and more than 80 hours of competitive driving. Leading the charge are Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel with co-driver Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuška paired with Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price alongside Sean Berriman. Behind the wheel, these drivers will be supported by an experienced cadre of engineers and mechanics, under the leadership of newly appointed Team Principal, Ian James.

A Production SUV Born for the Dakar

Unlike conventional rally cars, the D7X‑R begins its life on a production line in Nitra, Slovakia, adhering strictly to the Stock category rules. The bodyshell remains true to the production Defender 110 OCTA, one of Land Rover’s most capable Defenders ever. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is retained, running on FIA-compliant sustainable fuel, while the eight-speed automatic transmission carries over from the road car, albeit with a lower final drive ratio optimized for rally conditions.

While the Stock category limits modifications, Defender Rally has fitted the D7X‑R with a host of rally-specific upgrades. A 550-liter fuel tank is integrated into the rear, ensuring the vehicle can survive stages exceeding 800 kilometers. The suspension has been tuned with BILSTEIN performance dampers, including a single coil-over front and twin rear dampers, capable of handling the extra weight and brutal off-road conditions. Approach and departure angles have been improved via modified front and rear bodywork, while extended wheel arches, raised ride height, and a wider 60mm track give the SUV a more aggressive stance.

Engineering for Extremes

Desert racing requires more than sheer power. Cooling is a critical concern in the Dakar’s scorching environments, and the D7X‑R features an upgraded system with a large radiator, four 12V fans, bonnet vents, and sand filters to protect the V8 from particulate ingestion. The brakes are bespoke rally units with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears, while the electronics are consolidated into a single motorsport control unit with custom calibrations. A unique “Flight Mode” automatically modulates torque delivery when airborne, smoothing landings and protecting driveline components.

Inside the Rally Cockpit

The cabin is stripped for competition but far from spartan. FIA-regulated six-buckle seats are customized for each driver, with navigation and motorsport dashboards providing essential data at a glance. Storage solutions include space for eight liters of water, three spare wheels, hydraulic jacks, tools, and critical spare parts, all secured within the new roll cage. This is a vehicle built for endurance, comfort, and survivability across some of the planet’s harshest terrain.

Desert-Inspired Design

The D7X‑R wears an all-new “Geopalette” livery, inspired by the sand, stone, and earth tones of the Dakar desert, accented with hints of aqua drawn from rare desert water sources. The result is a vehicle that looks at home both in the dunes and on the pages of Land Rover’s adventure history.

Ready for the Challenge

Following over 6,000 kilometers of off-road testing, the D7X‑R is set for its competitive debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally, starting January 3 in Saudi Arabia. Ian James, Team Principal, is clear on the stakes: “Dakar represents one of the toughest challenges in motorsport—but that’s exactly why we are entering. With world-class partners and some of the best rally-raid drivers on the planet, we’ll give it our all.”

With its blend of production-bred reliability and rally-honed engineering, the Defender Dakar D7X‑R embodies the essence of British adventure. It’s a Defender built not just to survive the world’s harshest conditions, but to conquer them—on the ultimate stage.

Source: Land Rover

NEW CARS

Defender Goes Dakar: The Unstoppable 4×4 Aims for the Ultimate Desert Showdown

Somewhere deep in the Moroccan Sahara, a wall of sand is being shredded by something with a familiar silhouette — square, stoic, unmistakably British. But this isn’t your average luxury SUV trundling down a gravel road in the Cotswolds. This is the Defender Dakar D7X-R, a twin-turbo V8 desert warrior born from mud, muscle and aluminium. And it’s out here for one reason only: to prove that tough luxury can actually get its hands dirty.

The milestone test in Erfoud marks the most significant outing yet for Defender Rally — Jaguar Land Rover’s newly minted rally-raid squad — as they prepare for a team debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally. Leading this new expedition into motorsport madness is Ian James, freshly installed as both Team Principal of Defender Rally and Managing Director of JLR Motorsport. If the name rings a bell, it should — he’s the man who steered McLaren Electric Racing through the white-hot battleground of Formula E. Now, he’s swapped batteries for boulders.

“It’s an honour to be leading the Defender Rally team as we enter the almighty world of rally-raid competition,” says James. “We’ve still much work to do, but we’re all determined to make 2026 a memorable year in World Rally Raid for the Defender brand.”

Built to Break Limits — Not Just Trails

So what exactly is the D7X-R? Underneath that sand-blasted bodywork lies the same D7x aluminium monocoque that underpins the production Defender OCTA — a chassis that’s already earned its stripes for stiffness and durability. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 also carries over, delivering that thumping soundtrack you’d expect when a luxury SUV decides to enter the toughest rally on Earth.

Even the bodyshell rolled down the line at the brand’s Nitra Manufacturing Centre in Slovakia, before being shipped off to the UK for a bespoke rally-raid transformation. Think of it as a Defender that’s gone through SAS selection. And passed.

The Desert Doesn’t Do Mercy

The recent Moroccan test was no Sunday drive. The Defender Rally team spent days carving across dunes, wadis, and rocky plains — with each leg stretching hundreds of kilometres, simulating the grueling pace of Dakar. The goal? Rack up the kind of punishment only the desert can dish out, and make sure the D7X-R takes it all on the chin.

At the helm: a world-class driver line-up — Stéphane Peterhansel, the living legend with 14 Dakar wins; Sara Price, off-road ace and rising star; and Rokas Baciuška, the Lithuanian speed freak with rally raid in his blood. Their co-drivers ran digital roadbooks, just like they will in the real event — receiving each day’s route mere minutes before a timed stage begins. No GPS, no second chances, no mercy.

From Drawing Board to Dunes

Defender’s entry into the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) isn’t a one-off stunt. This is part of a three-year programme, with three Defender D7X-Rs taking on Dakar before a two-car team continues across the remaining four rounds of the championship.

“We made the decision to enter the World Rally-Raid Championship as it’s the ultimate stage to showcase Defender’s renowned capability and durability,” says Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender. “The new Defender OCTA set a high bar for tough luxury — seeing it transform into a Dakar contender is remarkable.”

Cameron’s enthusiasm is justified. With just three months to go before the 2026 start ramp in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, the project is accelerating fast. The team, the cars, and the mission all point to one thing: a rebirth of Defender’s off-road legend — not as a museum piece, but as a competition weapon.

The Spirit of the Original, Reimagined for the Extremes

There’s something poetic about a Defender returning to the sands. Decades ago, its ancestors roamed the deserts of Africa as rugged workhorses. Now, it’s back — this time not hauling supplies, but chasing podiums. The D7X-R is what happens when heritage meets horsepower and engineering meets endurance.

So when the start lights flash green in Dakar 2026, and three British-built behemoths thunder into the dunes, remember this moment in Morocco. It’s where a legend found its next gear — and where Defender stopped being a nameplate, and became a race team.

Unstoppable. Unshakable. Unmistakably Defender.

Source: Land Rover

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Range Rover Sport Embraces a New Era of Luxury with SV Bespoke Commissioning Service

In an era where individuality is the ultimate luxury, Range Rover has taken a bold stride forward. The brand’s acclaimed SV Bespoke commissioning service—previously reserved for its flagship Range Rover—is now available for the first time on the Range Rover Sport. This marks a new chapter for the luxury performance SUV, opening up an extraordinary breadth of personalisation possibilities for discerning clients around the world.

Crafted to Reflect Personality

Range Rover’s SV Bespoke offering goes far beyond conventional options lists. At its core lies a philosophy of tailored luxury—vehicles as unique as their owners. The SV Curated Bespoke Palette includes up to 230 exterior colours in gloss, matte, or satin finishes. For those seeking the extraordinary, the SV Bespoke ‘Match-to-Sample’ service allows virtually any colour to be recreated with remarkable accuracy.

Clients may also opt for distinctive elements like an Exposed Carbon Fibre Bonnet and bespoke roof and mirror cap finishes, while every SV Bespoke gloss paint job now benefits from a new ‘glass-like’ finish. Achieved through a thicker top-coat lacquer and meticulous hand polishing, the result is a surface of unrivalled depth and clarity.

Interior Personalisation Elevated

The Range Rover Sport SV’s interior is no less expressive. Buyers can choose from over 1,500 unique combinations, including a wide range of 15 rich colour options such as Navy, Brogue, Pimento, and Raven Blue. With contrast stitching, bespoke embroidery, unique veneers, and personalised treadplates, SV Bespoke invites owners to curate an atmosphere that speaks uniquely to them.

Exclusive finishes for 23-inch wheels and new brake caliper hues—Xenon Blue and Silver—join a suite of subtle yet striking details. Clients can also select from 22 distinct combinations of the signature two-piece Range Rover script, now available in hand-forged precious metals with matching paint inserts.

Nocturne: The First of Its Kind

The first Range Rover Sport SV to emerge from the SV Bespoke programme is the evocatively named Nocturne, which debuted at Range Rover House in Mykonos. Inspired by the deep indigo twilight of the Mediterranean sky, it features a Bespoke Indigo Gloss exterior, hand polished to mirror-like perfection. Narvik Black mirror caps and a contrast roof lend it a refined edge.

Performance cues come via the Exposed Carbon Fibre Bonnet, Satin Twill Carbon Fibre accents, and Thunderball 23-inch wheels finished in Champagne Gold Satin. Inside, Ebony and Lunar Windsor leather, Light Cloud contrast stitching, Satin Forged Carbon trim, and tactile ceramic controls bring tactile opulence to the cockpit.

Global Commissioning, Personal Touch

To bring this bespoke experience closer to clients, Range Rover has launched a network of Commissioning Suites in luxury hubs including London, Antwerp, Munich, Vancouver, Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai—with five more coming in 2025. These suites offer curated, in-person consultations with SV Bespoke experts, though virtual commissioning is also available for convenience without compromise.

A Growing Demand for Distinction

The introduction of SV Bespoke for the Range Rover Sport follows growing global demand for ultra-personalised vehicles. As Martin Limpert, Global Managing Director of Range Rover, explains:

“Clients are increasingly looking for crafted details and true distinction. With SV Bespoke, we have the unique opportunity to co-create vehicles that reflect our clients’ personalities in a truly authentic way.”

The SV Bespoke commissioning service is now available on Range Rover Sport SV and Autobiography models. With it, Range Rover continues to push the envelope in the luxury automotive space—blending artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge performance to deliver vehicles that are not just owned, but authored.

Source: Land Rover