TATA Harrier EV
21.69 Lakh*
Khyati Sharma 2026-08-18
Defender has introduced the Dakar, a limited-production road-legal SUV inspired directly by the brand's Dakar Rally-winning D7X-R competition car. Based on the high-performance Defender Octa, the new model combines rally-derived hardware with the practicality required for road use.
The Defender Dakar has been showcased as a Design Preview Model at Monterey Car Week. It carries over the D7X-R's body architecture, transmission and driveline, while also using the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
Reservations for the limited-run SUV are expected to open in early 2027, while Defender plans to disclose the complete technical specifications during the 2027 Dakar Rally.
The Defender Dakar has been developed with a noticeably wider stance and increased ground clearance compared with the standard Defender Octa. It rides on 35-inch all-terrain tyres mounted on forged 20-inch wheels, while coil springs and Bilstein Advanced dampers provide the suspension setup.
The SUV also introduces dedicated Dunes and Gravel driving modes. Another notable addition is the Flight Mode, designed to help maintain stability when the vehicle lands after becoming airborne on rough terrain.
Its exterior styling further emphasises its competition-car inspiration. Key additions include:
The Defender Dakar will also be offered in multiple exterior finishes. One of the standout combinations is Dakar Sand with Yanbu Turquoise, inspired by the D7X-R's Dakar-winning livery.
Inside, the Defender Dakar takes a more focused approach than the Defender Octa. The SUV features a 2+2 seating layout with specially designed front racing seats.
Customers will also be able to specify four-point racing harnesses, while the rear section has dedicated space for carrying race helmets. The load area comes with mounting provisions for the spare wheel and an air compressor, adding to its motorsport-oriented character.
Power comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, producing an impressive 635hp and 750Nm of torque.
Defender says the engine is unrestricted compared with the competition version used in the D7X-R rally car. The Dakar also retains the rally car's body architecture, transmission and driveline, giving the road-going SUV a much closer connection to its motorsport counterpart.
The Defender Dakar is planned as a limited-run model, although the company has not yet revealed how many examples will be produced. Pricing details are also yet to be announced.
With reservations scheduled to open in early 2027, more information about the Defender Dakar's final specifications is expected to emerge around the 2027 Dakar Rally. The model effectively brings the technology and visual character of Defender's Dakar competition programme to a road-legal performance SUV.
