ALWAYS the supply of latest mannequin pleasure, Goodwood Competition of Velocity lived as much as expectations this 12 months with loads of tasty metallic on present – together with a prototype of Land Rover’s new rally raid-inspired Defender Dakar D7X-R, set to compete within the upcoming 2026 Dakar Rally and likewise the six rounds of the 2026 World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC).
The rally mannequin, making its international public debut, was put via its paces over the four-day occasion on each Goodwood Hillclimb observe and the Off-Street Enviornment.
Purposefully geared up, the mannequin proved to be one thing of a show-stopper, little doubt aided by the presence of crew drivers, 14-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel ably supported by four-time Dakar stage winner Sara Value with whom he’ll share the Defender drive subsequent 12 months together with third crew member Rokas Baciuška.
Talking after driving the Dakar D7X-R at Competition of Velocity, Ms Value mentioned: “The automobile felt actually good – it is the overall bundle. We had been exhibiting off our prototype automobile at Goodwood, however it’s about to get much more actual as our competitors Defender might be completed quickly and the actual testing will start.”
Mr Peterhansel mentioned he was “wanting ahead to the subsequent few months of preparations forward of our entry to Dakar within the Inventory class”.
“To return to the roots with a manufacturing automobile, and with Defender which is the very best off-road model, I’m actually proud to be a part of it. We are going to attempt to write the brand new chapter of historical past with Defender at Dakar. It’s going to be an journey and a possibility to indicate what a manufacturing automobile can do.
The prototype automobile, already examined within the sands of Morocco earlier this 12 months, will compete within the newly up to date Inventory class that permits a level of modification and might be supported by companions Castrol and attire firm Shackleton within the Defender Rally Crew.
Land Rover says the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8-powered D7X-R prototype is the “the proper platform to authentically display the acute functionality and sturdiness of Defender”.
The mannequin’s Morocco shake-down gave the crew a wealth of studying that was then utilized to the subsequent stage of the event program. The second prototype, which made the Goodwood look, featured a variety of upgrades appropriate for its efficiency necessities and is nearer in specification to the official competitors automobile resulting from be unveiled later this 12 months.
Updates included: 17-inch bespoke wheels fitted with 35-inch tyres for elevated sturdiness, elevated observe width and experience peak to match the eventual race automobile arrange for extra functionality, considerably upgraded steering rack assembly motorsport specs for enhanced efficiency, the usual exhaust has been eliminated, leading to improved circulation.
