All articles tagged with #dakar rally
The 2027 Land Rover Defender Dakar is a limited, road-legal evolution of the Dakar-winning D7X-R, packing a derestricted 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 hp and 553 lb-ft, rally-style coil suspension with Bilstein dampers, 35-inch tires, and a Flight Mode for big jumps. Production numbers and pricing will be announced after a Monterey preview and the 2027 Dakar Rally reveal in January, with reservations opening in early 2027.
Land Rover previews a road-legal version of its Dakar Rally-winning D7X-R, the Defender Dakar Concept, a limited-run model that borrows race tech like a 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 producing 635 PS and 750 Nm, 35‑inch tyres, Bilstein Advanced Dampers, and rally‑inspired interior elements. Exterior cues mix Dakar Sand bodywork with a Yandu Turquoise roof, and the package includes new Dune and Gravel Drive modes plus a Flight Mode for rough landings. It seats 2+2 with optional four‑point harnesses and a dedicated spare-wheel/air‑compressor mounting. Registrations of interest open in early 2027, with the car debuting during Monterey Car Week at The Quail as part of Defender’s ongoing off‑road legacy.
Land Rover has unveiled a limited-run, road-legal Defender Dakar, derived from its Dakar Rally-winning car and powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo BMW V8 delivering 626 hp and 553 lb-ft to all wheels. Built on the tough D7x platform, it rides on 35-inch tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels, with Bilstein dampers and Dakar-inspired modes (Dunes, Gravel, Flight) plus carbon fiber intakes, flared arches, mud flaps, and roof-mounted light pods. The interior will feature race seats and optional harnesses, with rear helmet storage and other rally-inspired elements. Shown at California Car Week, the model is limited in production and price has not been disclosed.
Ford Performance has rebranded as Ford Racing to overhaul its image and expand its involvement in motorsport, including upcoming participation in the Dakar Rally, Rolex 24, Formula 1, and endurance racing, with a new identity launching in January 2026.
Sara Price, a 31-year-old off-road racer from California, made history by becoming the first female American driver and third woman ever to win a stage at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. As a Dakar rookie, she funded her own participation through fundraisers and personal savings. Price's victory not only marks a breakthrough for women in motorsports but also serves as an inspiration for young girls aspiring to pursue racing. Her success at Dakar could potentially attract more attention and support from fans and corporate sponsors in the American racing world.
Spanish motorcycle rider Carles Falcon has tragically passed away after sustaining severe injuries from a crash during the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. Falcon, 45, had been in an induced coma since the incident on Jan. 7 and his team confirmed that the neurological damage caused by the cardiorespiratory arrest at the time of the accident was irreversible. The 46th edition of the rally, which began in 1978, is being held in Saudi Arabia for the fifth time and spans over 4,903 miles.