- The limited-run Defender Dakar pairs a 467kW twin-turbo V8 with shared D7X-R architecture.
- Bilstein dampers, 889mm tyres and three dedicated terrain modes underpin its off-road focus.
- Reservations begin in early 2027, but pricing, production numbers and NZ availability remain undisclosed.
Defender is taking its Dakar-winning formula beyond the rally stage with a limited-run model designed for public roads.
Simply called Defender Dakar, the new 2+2 is described as a road-legal evolution of the D7X-R competition vehicle. It shares key foundations with both the racing machine and the Defender OCTA, including their core architecture, transmission and driveline.
That gives the newcomer a clear technical connection to Defender's rally programme rather than a styling-only link. The finer details are still being held back, but the initial specification points to a particularly focused addition to the Defender range.
V8 released to 467kW
Power comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 467kW and 750Nm. Defender says the engine is unrestricted in this application, providing the road-going model with a substantial output to match its competition-inspired hardware.
Its stance is defined by 889mm tyres fitted to forged 508mm wheels, while Bilstein dampers form a key part of the suspension package. Those components draw a direct line to the D7X-R's loose-surface purpose, even though the Dakar is being developed for road use.
Three dedicated modes further clarify the brief: Dunes, Gravel and Flight. Defender has not yet detailed every aspect of how those settings will operate in the production model.
Reservations open next year
Defender plans to begin taking reservations in early 2027. More technical information will be revealed at the 2027 Dakar Rally, leaving some significant details unanswered in the meantime.
The company has not disclosed a price, the total production run or whether the Defender Dakar will be offered in New Zealand. It has also stopped short of publishing a complete specification, so buyers will need to wait for the next announcement to learn how the road model differs from the D7X-R in full.
For now, its confirmed combination of 467kW V8 power, forged wheels, substantial tyres and specialised drive modes establishes the Defender Dakar as a focused road-legal extension of the winning rally programme.
