Pretoria, South Africa – Thursday, 17 July 2025 – Defender Rally roared into the spotlight at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with the global public debut of the all-new Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype, a purpose-built rally machine set to challenge the world’s toughest terrain in the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). From hill to hinterland, the prototype left an indelible impression on spectators as it tackled the famous Hillclimb and unleashed its off-road prowess in the Festival’s rugged Off-Road Arena.
This dynamic showcase marked a major milestone in Defender’s competitive ambitions, offering fans a first glimpse of what’s to come in the revitalised ‘Stock’ category – a class designed to push production-based vehicles to the limit. The D7X-R is based on the Defender 110 and has been meticulously engineered to demonstrate the vehicle’s inherent durability, capability, and performance credentials in extreme rally environments.
Hillclimb Heroics and Off-Road Action
Appearing on all four days of the festival, the D7X-R was piloted by two newly signed Defender drivers: Sara Price, four-time Dakar stage winner and trailblazer in women’s off-road racing, and the legendary Stéphane Peterhansel, a 14-time Dakar Rally champion affectionately known as “Monsieur Dakar.” Both drivers made their official debut in the Defender team at Goodwood, thrilling crowds with high-octane runs and engaging demonstrations across both track and trail.
“I’ve loved being at Goodwood, there’s so much going on,” said Price. “Driving on the hillclimb was awesome – four times! The Off-Road Arena was super fun too. The prototype felt amazing – it’s the total package. And now we’re gearing up for the real thing with the competition car coming soon.”
Peterhansel, reflecting on his long-awaited visit to Goodwood, added: “It’s an honour to finally be here. I’ve always wanted to experience the hillclimb. Now the focus turns to Dakar. I’m proud to return to the roots of rallying – in a production car, with Defender – the best off-road brand. This is our chance to write a new chapter.”
Building Momentum for Dakar 2026
Goodwood also served as a platform for Defender Rally to announce two new official partners – a key step in the team’s ongoing preparations. Castrol joins as Official Fluids Partner, providing high-performance lubricants to keep the D7X-R running at peak efficiency throughout the grueling W2RC calendar. Meanwhile, British expedition outfitter Shackleton signs on as Official Expedition Apparel Supplier, equipping the team with high-performance outerwear built to endure the harshest conditions during testing and competition.
From Concept to Contender
The Defender Dakar D7X-R project began its testing journey in the sand dunes of Morocco in April, yielding valuable data that has directly influenced the next phase of development. The prototype showcased at Goodwood features upgrades that bring it significantly closer to the final competition spec, including:
- 17-inch bespoke wheels with 35-inch tyres for added durability on rough terrain
- Increased track width and ride height, aligning with the final race configuration
- A motorsport-spec steering rack, enabling sharper, more responsive handling
- Removed standard exhaust system to enhance airflow and improve engine breathing
These refinements signal a clear intent: Defender isn’t just entering the rally-raid arena—it’s aiming to compete at the sharp end of the field.
As the countdown to Dakar 2026 intensifies, Defender Rally continues to forge its identity—drawing on decades of off-road heritage and coupling it with cutting-edge engineering and world-class driving talent. The D7X-R may have been a prototype at Goodwood, but it represented something more: the dawn of Defender’s next great adventure.
