At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new prototype Defender Dakar (D7X‑R) made a striking appearance in the Off‑Road Arena, where it impressed audiences with dynamic displays on mixed terrain, delivering what many described as a spectacular experience.
What Makes the Defender Dakar Stand Out?
- Modified Production Model:
The D7X‑R reflects the lightweight aluminum architecture and production design of the Defender, but showcased rally-ready capabilities tailored for harsh desert challenges. - Public Debut:
This prototype made its first live appearance at Goodwood before officially entering the 2026 W2RC season, including Dakar Rally participation. - High-Tech Partnership:
A technical collaboration with Castrol ensures custom oils and coolants optimized for extreme racing conditions and high Dakar temperatures.
Visitor Experience & Interaction
- The Off‑Road Arena served as the platform to demonstrate the Defender Dakar’s dynamic strengths, where the prototype performed in front of a live audience, showing off its power and terrain control.
- Spectators witnessed the future-focused machine, led by the Defender Rally division, in what marks its first step toward the World Rally-Raid Championship, including the Dakar Rally.
The Broader Goodwood Context
- The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual tradition since 1993, featuring everything from Formula 1 cars to classic rally vehicles. The event spans a 1.16-mile hill-climb course.
- The 2025 edition celebrated 57 years of Formula 1, with hill-climb events, supercar showcases, and new tech innovations.
- The Defender claimed a spot in the high-performance off-road vehicle zone, alongside models like the Defender Octa and Defender Trophy Edition.
Interview with Stéphane Peterhansel – “Mr. Dakar”
Q: Mr. Peterhansel, after 14 Dakar victories, what draws you back with the Defender?
A: “I’m very excited about this new step. The Defender is a symbol of toughness and legacy, and the Stock category challenge is the perfect way to lead it to the podium.”
Q: What was your impression after the initial prototype tests in Morocco?
A: “The testing is going very positively. I’m eager to see how the vehicle performs in Dakar 2026.”
“The Defender brand represents never giving up. I’m excited to be part of this journey and start my first tests with the D7X‑R in preparation for the 2026 rally.”
Stéphane Peterhansel
Key Interview Highlights
| Topic | Details |
| Motivation | Bringing back Dakar’s most decorated driver (Peterhansel) to lead a new Stock-class journey. |
| Technical Progress | Successful early testing in Morocco, based on the production D7X aluminum platform. |
| Effective Team | A team blending Peterhansel’s experience with Baciuška’s youthful energy. |
| Clear Goal | Reach the Dakar 2026 podium with a production-based vehicle in its debut. |
Defender’s Goodwood Debut: The Start of a Desert Ambition
With the most decorated Dakar driver in history and a talented young teammate, plus a finely-tuned production-based vehicle, Defender’s journey toward Dakar 2026 is serious and ambitious. This could mark a new era for the Defender brand in rally-raid racing.
Summary – The Future of Dakar Begins at Goodwood
| Feature | Detail |
| Launch | First public dynamic reveal of the Dakar D7X‑R prototype. |
| Goal | Prepare for W2RC and Dakar Rally 2026 participation. |
| Tech | Strong production partnership with Castrol for endurance and performance. |
The Defender Dakar’s appearance at Goodwood 2025 is more than just a display—it’s a bold announcement of Land Rover’s official entry into Dakar Rally competition. Performance under pressure is crucial, and what was demonstrated proves Defender is not just a road icon—but a desert contender.
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