- 2026 Dakar Rally class‑winning D7X‑R leads Defender showcase at Goodwood Festival of Speed following historic 2026 Dakar Rally victory as W2RC campaign continues
- Latest Defender models and Land Rover Classic icons line up for festival visitors
- Off‑road experiences, mini‑Defender rides and ‘Perfect Pass’ rugby challenge promise hands‑on adventure for all ages
Goodwood, UK – Thursday 2 July 2026: Defender brings Dakar‑winning pedigree and all‑terrain experiences to the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, demonstrating its unrivalled capability and adventurous spirit.
Defender Dakar D7X‑R is the star, fresh from the team’s historic Stock class victory at the 2026 Dakar Rally – the world’s toughest off‑road endurance event. After making its public dynamic debut in prototype guise at Festival of Speed in 2025, Defender Rally secured a dominant result in the 2026 Dakar Rally Stock class, underlining the durability and strength of Defender architecture in extreme conditions. D7X‑R will appear again on Goodwood’s Hillclimb and Off‑Road Arena at Festival of Speed 2026.
Now competing in the 2026 FIA World Rally‑Raid Championship (W2RC), D7X‑R continues to demonstrate Defender’s capability on a global stage, bringing authentic race‑to‑road credibility.
Alongside its motorsport achievements, Defender showcases a yet‑to‑be‑announced new derivative, the most significant visual update to Defender since its 2020 launch, several other new models and one of the latest offerings from Land Rover Classic. The line‑up reflects Defender’s unique position as a brand whose vehicles have evolved for the modern world, while retaining their unmistakable character and capability.
Visitors can also experience Defender’s capability first‑hand through passenger off‑road drives, navigating a purpose‑built obstacle course that demonstrates the vehicle’s all‑terrain performance*. For younger guests, ride‑on mini‑Defenders provide an introduction to the brand.
Returning for 2026, the Defender Perfect Pass rugby challenge invites visitors to test their skills with a fun precision passing game. The experience highlights Defender’s long‑standing commitment to the sport, with more than 25 years of support across all levels of rugby, including its role as Official Vehicle Partner of England Rugby.
Together, these elements create a multi‑dimensional Defender experience at Goodwood – combining motorsport success, product evolution, heritage and hands‑on engagement for visitors of all ages.
Goodwood offers the perfect platform to bring Defender to life. With the Dakar‑winning D7X‑R on display and a wider line‑up spanning heritage and modern icons, we’re celebrating what makes Defender unique. Alongside our off‑road experiences and rugby activations, this is an opportunity for visitors to engage directly with the brand and experience its capability and character first‑hand.
