Tag Archives: 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

News

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

Tuning

This Supercharged Defender Is the Real Off-Road Beast

The new Land Rover Defender Octa might be the talk of the town with its 635-horsepower twin-turbo V8, but for those who value raw character, mechanical purity, and brutal off-road muscle, there’s a more compelling alternative: ECD Automotive Design’s Project Wilder.

Built on the bones of the classic Land Rover Defender, Project Wilder isn’t just a restomod—it’s an off-road statement piece, a bespoke blend of heritage and modern aggression that makes even the Octa feel tame by comparison.

Supercharged Brute Force

Under the hood lies a supercharged GM-sourced V8, a fire-breathing engine that churns out over 700 horsepower. That’s more than enough to leave the Octa in its dust. Power is sent to all four wheels through a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission, offering analog thrills rarely seen in today’s digitized SUV landscape.

To ensure it sounds as wild as it looks, ECD fitted a Borla Sport exhaust system, giving the beast a feral soundtrack to match its outrageous performance.

Built for Battle

ECD didn’t just stuff power into an old chassis. The frame has been stripped and coated with Raptor Liner, a high-strength protective layer known for its resistance to scratches, chemicals, UV rays, and harsh weather. This Defender is built to conquer—and survive—terrain that would terrify most luxury SUVs.

The air suspension and Brembo performance brakes are carefully calibrated for extreme off-road duty, while the 20-inch wheels shod in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires make sure traction is never in short supply. Painted in a refined Eastnor Green with Nara Bronze accents, Project Wilder balances ruggedness with elegance.

A Luxurious Den of Detail

Inside, Project Wilder is a showcase of ECD’s coachbuilding artistry. Buffalo Distressed Cuoio leather with honeycomb stitching wraps nearly every surface, contrasted by Sapele walnut trim, Alcantara headliner, and a hand-finished wood steering wheel. Two Recaro sports seats offer firm support for both spirited driving and long expeditions.

Technology is seamlessly integrated: a modern infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Focal speakers, panoramic roof, rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, electric windows, and twin subwoofers make sure creature comforts aren’t sacrificed for old-school cool.

Legacy Reimagined

ECD’s Project Wilder is not just a throwback—it’s a defiant vision of what a Defender can be when traditional craftsmanship meets unhinged engineering. While the Defender Octa dazzles with its factory muscle, Project Wilder roars with hand-built ferocity. It’s proof that the most iconic off-roaders are sometimes those reborn with passion, power, and purpose.

Source: ECD Automotive Design

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This Supercharged Defender Is the Real Off-Road Beast