Land Rover Defender Dakar: 635 HP Street-Legal Tribute to Rally Winner

Land Rover has unveiled the Defender Dakar, a street-ready tribute to its D7X-R racer that won the Dakar Rally. This vehicle features a powerful 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that delivers 635 hp, outstripping the race car’s 400 hp. It rolls on 35-inch tires fitted to 20-inch wheels and offers driving modes like Dunes and Gravel, plus a special Flight mode to cushion landings. Racing-inspired elements include a reinforced underbody, carbon-fiber air intakes and hood, a fixed roof with lights, exposed rivets, and custom mud flaps. Showcased at The Quail, the Defender Dakar is available in colors like yellow Dakar Sand with a Yanbu Turquoise roof. Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender, emphasized its connection to the brand's off-road legacy, stating that reservations will start in early 2027, with deliveries later that year.