Land Rover is going racing at the Dakar Rally in January, and it just unveiled the Defender it’s using to do it.

The Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R began testing earlier this year in the Sahara Desert in preparation for Dakar, which will take place in Saudi Arabia, as it has since 2020. This is good marketing for Land Rover, especially for the Defender Octa, but also a fun project for the company’s employees. Dakar is one of the toughest races on earth, and, as such, is as good a showcase as any for the Defender’s abilities.

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On Tuesday, Land Rover showed the livery that the Defender Dakar D7X-R will compete in, a mix of browns, tans, and, on the roof, a greenish-blue. These colors are inspired by the terrain on which it will compete, according to the brand.

“The all‑new ‘Geopalette’ design takes its cues from the arid landscapes that characterise the Dakar,” Land Rover said in a statement. “It combines sand, stone and earth tones with a hint of Aqua, drawn from the rare desert waters that bring contrast and clarity.”

The Defender Dakar D7X-R will compete in the Stock category, which means that many of its components are, indeed, stock. That includes the engine, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 626 horsepower that will be tuned down a bit to conform with race regulations, as well as the transmission and body architecture, both the same as on the Defender Octa.

Parts modified for the race include the suspension, cooling systems, track, and the ride height, so the car sits taller and wider. The fuel tank is bigger, or around 145 gallons, which is enormous, and there is a roll cage for safety. Perhaps most interesting is a modification called “Flight Mode,” made for sand dune jumps.

“Flight Mode automatically adjusts torque delivery from the engine to the wheels whenever the D7X‑R is airborne to ensure a smooth landing and protect the driveline,” Land Rover said.

The Defender Dakar D7X-R will be piloted by three drivers during the race, which starts on January 3.

“As a team we need to become one with Defender and take it one kilometre at a time and adapt to whatever challenges get thrown at us,” one driver, Sara Price, said in a statement. “We might be going into the unknown but we’re taking the toughest Defender ever and I can’t wait to get the race started.”

Click here for more photos of the Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R.

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