Land Rover will compete in the world-famous Dakar rally with its Defender

Land Rover had revealed that it will be entering into the 2026 season of the famous Dakar rally with a Defender.

The firm has undergone a partnership agreement that will supply a fleet of support vehicles for Dakar rally officials and VIP media from 2025 until 2028.

The Defender is the firm’s toughest and most capable off-roader. (Land Rover)

This will be the first time the British firm has entered the Dakar rally and it should lean into the Defender’s strong and capable off-road nature in one of the world’s toughest environments.

Mark Cameron, the Defender’s managing director, said: “Our partnership begins in 2025 when Defender will showcase its capability and durability as the official car of the event, but we are already looking to the future and entering a Defender Dakar Works team from 2026.

“That Defender Dakar works programme will be led by James Barclay, JLR Motorsport managing director, and I know James and his team are inspired by the challenge that lays ahead.”

The official Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car will be revealed during the Dakar 2025 season – which commences from January 3 to January 25.

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