Land Rover’s new Defender sub-division is set to take on the world’s most challenging off-road events, with a competition-spec vehicle based on the performance-focused Defender OCTA entering the Dakar Rally and the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in 2026.
Competing in the ‘Stock’ category for production-based vehicles, the racing models will draw heavily from Defender OCTA, retaining its robust D7x body architecture and 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 powertrain. The Defender OCTA in stock form is an ideal platform for rally competition, featuring hardcore brakes and suspension as standard.
With a two-vehicle entry planned for all five rounds of the W2RC and three vehicles set to tackle the iconic Dakar Rally, the programme will certainly spice up the motorsport evens.
Upcoming regulations in the ‘Stock’ category, designed to enhance competitiveness and showcase production-based 4x4s, provide a prime opportunity for Defender to demonstrate its capabilities. Mark Cameron, managing director at Defender, said:
“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.”
To refresh your memory, the road-going Land Rover Defender OCTA is powered by a BMW-sourced twin-turbo V8 that belts out 467kW and 750Nm (800Nm when in launch mode), which is enough to see 0-100km/h dusted off in a claimed 4.0 seconds. Bespoke suspension and off-road tyres lift ground clearance by 28mm, and pumped wheel arches widened the SUV by 68mm over the standard Defender.
Obviously the standard Defender OCTA isn’t ready for competition as is, featuring a plush leather interior and modern conveniences. So, Land Rover engineers are going to be further testing and developing the SUV over the next 12 months or so to get it all prepared and ready for action.
