Land Rover Defender OCTA with V8 Engine To Enter Dakar Rally in 2026

Land Rover has revealed the Defender OCTA as its official entry for the 2026 Dakar Rally's Stock category. The British brand confirmed its participation in the race earlier this month, but details of the vehicle had been kept under wraps. The OCTA, which will also lead Land Rover’s effort in the FIA Rally-Raid World Championship, features a powerful 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. It keeps the original design, including the iconic bodywork, transmission, and rugged D7x driveline.

The Land Rover team will carry out extensive testing and development throughout the year to ensure the OCTA is ready for the extreme challenges of the Dakar Rally. The official reveal of the competition-spec Defender OCTA is set for later this year, marking a key milestone as the brand prepares for the 2026 event.

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Mark Cameron, Defender Managing Director: 'Taking on the most demanding rally-raid event in the world represents the ultimate test of our most extreme Defender to date. We know that Dakar will be an immense challenge, but Defender OCTA combines huge performance with characteristic Defender capability and durability – the perfect foundations for what I’m confident will be a highly competitive rally-raid vehicle.'

James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director: 'Defender competing in Dakar will be an incredibly exciting challenge. We had a vision for the future of production-based vehicles in rally-raid so it has been incredibly positive to align with the ASO, FIA and other manufacturers and work collaboratively to create the new regulations for the ‘Stock’ category. We now have the right platform to authentically demonstrate Defender’s capability in the biggest challenge in off-road motorsport. Ahead of us is a year of detailed preparation, testing and learning to be ready for Dakar 2026. The team are already well under way and we are very much looking forward to competing in both Dakar and W2RC – the world’s toughest off-road events.'

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Dakar and the FIA have introduced new regulations to enhance 4x4 SUV performance in the rally category, recognising their growing popularity. The Defender OCTA stands out as a strong contender, featuring the robust DX7 body architecture and a body-on-frame design that is three times stronger, offering excellent torsional rigidity. These qualities make the OCTA a strong choice for the demanding Dakar Rally.

Land Rover's Defender brand served as the official vehicle partner for this year's Dakar Rally, providing 20 SUVs to transport race officials and VIPs. In addition, six modified Recce vehicles joined the fleet to support the ASO in planning the routes for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 editions. This collaboration highlights Land Rover's commitment to the Dakar Rally and its ongoing role in shaping the event’s future.