Latest news with #StéphanePeterhansel
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Testing continues for almost Dakar Rally-ready Defender D7X-R
Defender parent company, JLR, is providing factory backing to a team that will be led on the driver front by 14 time Dakar Rally winner, Stéphane Peterhansel. JLR showcased an improved version of the Defender Dakar D7X-R at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. Picture: JLR The Defender, formerly the Land Rover Defender, is probably the most loved 4x4s in the world. It is certainly the most iconic. And considered the most capable too. Now Land Rover it is going rallying with their new Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype. Taking on Dakar Unveiled at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Defender parent company, JLR, announced it will be entering the Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in 2026. The Defender Dakar D7X-R's global debut gave the public the first glimpse of the type of cars that will compete in the newly updated 'Stock' category for production-based vehicles in the 2026 Dakar Rally and W2RC. The car is a competition version of the Defender 110. The changes to the 'Stock' category will make this Defender significantly more competitive and is the perfect platform to authentically demonstrate the extreme capability and durability of Defender. ALSO READ: Hardcore off-road suited Defender OCTA officially revealed Also making their debut at the famous festival was four-time Dakar stage winner Sara Price and 14 times Dakar winner, Stéphane Peterhansel. 'I've loved being at Goodwood, there's so much going on. I drove on the famous hillclimb four times, which was so awesome,' said Price. 'I also drove in the Off-Road Arena which was super fun, because anytime I get in this vehicle is just so exciting for me. The car felt really good – it's the total package.' Peterhansel added, 'For many years, I have been intrigued by the famous hillclimb, and now I have experienced it for myself. It has been a great event to attend, and I enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting some fans. I'm looking forward to the next few months of preparations ahead of our entry to Dakar in the 'Stock' category.' Team and car The reveal comes as the Defender Rally team continues to take shape with the signing of its first official partners. Joining the team as Official Fluids Partner is Castrol, who will equip the rally car with the products it needs for optimal performance throughout the five rounds of the W2RC. In addition, Defender Rally has confirmed that British expedition and performance apparel company, Shackleton, will be the official apparel supplier. The first prototype of the Defender Dakar D7X-R was tested in the sand dunes of Morocco in April, from which the team took a wealth of learning then applied to the next stage of the programme. Shown at Goodwood, the second prototype features a number of upgrades suitable for its performance requirements and closer in spec to the official competition car due to be unveiled later this year. These include: 17-inch wheels fitted with 35-inch tyres; increased track width and ride height; upgraded steering rack; competition exhaust system NOW READ: Plug-in hybrid Defender would not have pleased the Camel Man
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Defender Dakar D7X-R leaps closer to final competition spec
Undergoing rigorous testing before its official entry into the 2026 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship, the vehicle was showcased on the Hillclimb course and around the Off-Road arena with developmental design tweaks. Set to compete in the updated 'Stock' category for production-based vehicles, the Defender Dakar D7X-R is a competition version of the Defender 110 and comes fitted with race-ready upgrades. The updates include bespoke 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tyres, increased track width and ride height, a heavy-duty steering rack built to motorsport specifications and a freer-flowing exhaust system. Sponsored by Castrol and apparel company Shackleton, the Defender Dakar D7X-R was put through its paces by America's four-time Dakar stage winner Sara Price and France's legendary Stéphane Peterhansel, who has won the Dakar Rally 14 times. They were recently announced as official Defender Rally team drivers, joining Lithuanian race ace Rokas Baciuška. 'I'm looking forward to the next few months of preparations ahead of our entry to Dakar in the Stock category,' Peterhansel said after the event. 'To go back to the roots with a production car, and with Defender, which is the best off-road brand, I'm proud to be part of it. We will try to write a new chapter of history with Defender at Dakar. It's going to be an adventure and opportunity to show what a production car can do.'
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Legendary driver Stéphane Peterhansel joins Defender's 2026 Dakar Rally Campaign with D7X-R prototype
Three Defender Dakar D7X-Rs will compete in the Stock category for production-based cars in the 2026 Dakar Rally. Image: Supplied Defender is well on the way in its preparations for entering the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), having finished prototype testing in Morocco with the Defender Dakar D7X-R. They have also signed 14-time Dakar Rally winner Stéphane Peterhansel alongside emerging talent Rokas Baciuška. Peterhansel joined the Defender Rally team in Morocco, completing early testing with the prototype of the Defender Dakar D7X-R as they began preparations for competing at the Dakar Rally in January 2026. Defender have signed 14-time Dakar Rally winner Stéphane Peterhansel alongside emerging talent Rokas Baciuška. Image: Supplied Dakar success Peterhansel, 59, the most successful Dakar Rally driver of all time, has competed in the Dakar Rally 35 times on both bike and car and has won the ultimate off-road race 14 times. In 2026, he will race for Defender in all rounds of the W2RC to help pave the way for Defender's future in the sport as he strives to build on his record win tally. Emerging talent Twenty-five-year-old Lithuanian Baciuška is the first driver in the history of the FIA to win world champion titles in two different categories. In 2022, he made his Dakar Rally debut and finished third in the T4 category. He went on to complete the 2022 W2RC with four podiums, including winning the 2022 Rallye du Maroc, which secured him the overall W2RC championship in T4. Baciuška finished second in the T4 category of the 2023 Dakar Rally and third in the T3 category in 2024. Defender will make its works debut at the Dakar Rally, where three Defender Dakar D7X-Rs will compete in the Stock category for production-based cars. A two-car entry will contest the remaining rounds of the 2026 FIA W2RC. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Defender Dakar D7X-R shares the same D7x aluminium body architecture, transmission and driveline layout as production Defenders. Image: Supplied
NDTV
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Land Rover Defender Gets Ready For Dakar Rally, Completes Rally-Raid Test
Land Rover is set to make its Dakar Rally debut in January 2026. Before the inaugural race, the brand had signed the fourteen-time Dakar Rally winner Stéphane Peterhansel, who will join the Defender Rally team alongside Rokas Baciuska. Additionally, the team has completed the early test activity with the first prototype of the Defender Dakar D7X-R. The SUV with the legendary name will compete in the 'Stock' category for production-based cars. Furthermore, a two-car entry will compete in the remaining rounds of the 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Diving into the details, the Defender Dakar D7X-R, which will represent the brand in the race, is a purpose-built model based on the production version of the SUV. Following the regulations for the 'Stock' category, it is based on the D7x aluminium body architecture as the production version of the SUV. To top it off, it carries the same transmission and driveline layout. Specifically, the SUV is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which is employed on the Defender Octa. Also Read: The BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged V8 engine is tuned to put out 626 hp of power and 750 Nm of torque at the peak of its performance in the Defender Octa. These stats make it the most powerful vehicle to carry the Defender name. The power is transferred to the wheels via an eight-speed transmission with a twin-speed transfer box with high and low-range modes. Taking care of things behind the wheel will be Stéphane Peterhansel. He is regarded as the most successful Dakar Rally driver of all time. The 59‑year‑old has competed in the Dakar Rally 35 times on both bike and car and has won the ultimate epic adventure 14 times. Meanwhile, Rokas Baciuska is one of the first drivers in the history of the FIA to win world championship titles in two different categories.
