- Behind the scenes: New Land Rover Defender will play a vital role at the world’s most extreme motorsport event – the Dakar Rally – with a pair of production‑standard models joining Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) as crew vehicles for its 2021 campaign
- Durable by design: Pair of Defender 110 models will provide on‑event support for the team’s two drivers, medical crew and support staff across the punishing 13‑day, 12‑stage, 7,646 kilometre event
- Competition pedigree: Land Rover has a rich association with the event after a Range Rover won the first ever Dakar Rally in 1979, before triumphing again in 1981
- Choose your model: New Defender 90 Hard Top is priced from £35,820 OTR (ex. VAT), 110 Hard Top from £43,012 OTR (ex. VAT), 90 is priced from £43,625 and 110 starts at £45,315 in the UK
- Configure yours at: www.landrover.co.uk/Defender
Whitley, 22 December 2020 – Land Rover’s most capable and durable 4x4 is taking on the ultimate all‑terrain challenge with two Defender 110 support vehicles destined for the Dakar Rally 2021. The rally is one of the toughest sporting events in the world and the production‑spec models will support ambitious new Dakar Rally and Prodrive‑backed team, Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) throughout the 7,646 kilometre (4,751‑mile) race.
The pair of New Defender 110 4x4s will have to negotiate extreme conditions, traversing desert dunes, mud, camel grass and rocks as they carry vital supplies, crew and equipment for the team and drivers. BRX’s driver lineup includes nine‑time World Rally Champion, Sébastien Loeb, from France, and two‑time Dakar Rally winner, Nani Roma, from Spain. The showroom‑standard models will also provide essential support for crew members, who will camp, eat and sleep in the P400 models across 12 gruelling stages of desert driving.
The Indus Silver models are powered by Land Rover’s 400PS straight‑six Ingenium petrol engine, featuring Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology, and are fitted with the Explorer Pack, which includes an Expedition Roof Rack, Raised Air Intake, Wheel Arch Protection and Exterior Side‑Mounted Gear Carrier. In addition, a Deployable Roof Ladder provides easy access to a roof box, which will help BRX carry all the necessary kit.
Land Rover has a unique Dakar pedigree having won the inaugural event in 1979, and the rally remains the ultimate all‑terrain endurance test. While the Defenders won’t be competing, they will have a vital role in supporting the team as they navigate their way across thousands of miles of punishing desert terrain. The fact these vehicles are unmodified is testimony to the intrinsic capability and durability of our legendary 4x4, which has undergone the most demanding engineering test and development programme in our history.
Finbar McFall
Jaguar Land Rover Customer Experience Director
The role of support vehicle will see crew members test the Defender’s expedition credentials to the extremes. With a maximum payload of up to 900kg and maximum dynamic roof load of 168kg, each of the vehicles will be loaded with equipment and supplies, while advanced Terrain Response 2 technology, including world‑first Configurable Terrain Response, will allow the drivers to fine‑tune the vehicle to suit both their driving preferences and the challenging conditions.
The crew need to know our support vehicles will be able to carry all of the necessary kit and be relied upon to get to the next service location, whatever the conditions. New Defender provides a unique combination of all‑terrain performance, rugged practicality and comfort – a crucial combination for the unpredictable Dakar conditions and after long days behind the wheel.
Paul Howorth
World‑leading motorsport experts, Prodrive, are behind BRX and Team Principal
Following its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019, Land Rover has experienced unprecedented demand for New Defender alongside worldwide critical acclaim – since its debut, the 4x4 has won 28 international awards.
Land Rover has also introduced its range of powerful and efficient in‑line six‑cylinder Ingenium diesel engines, featuring mild hybrid technology, and its advanced P400e plug‑in hybrid powertrain, which provides an all‑electric range of up to 27 miles (43km)* and CO2 emissions of 74g/km.
New Defender is available in 90, 110 and practical Hard Top commercial derivatives. To find out more and configure yours, visit: www.landrover.com/Defender
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