DEFENDER READY FOR DEBUT IN DAKAR RALLY AS 2026 WORLD RALLY-RAID CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS

About YETI Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, YETI is a global designer, retailer and distributor of innovative outdoor products. From coolers and drinkware to backpacks and bags, YETI products are built to meet the unique and varying needs of diverse outdoor pursuits, whether in the remote wilderness, at the beach, or anywhere life takes our customers. By consistently delivering high‑performing, exceptional products, we have built a strong following of brand loyalists throughout the world, ranging from serious outdoor enthusiasts to individuals who simply value products of uncompromising quality and design. We have an unwavering commitment to outdoor and recreation communities, and we are relentless in our pursuit of building superior products for people to confidently enjoy life outdoors and beyond.

QUOTE: “The Defender Rally represents the ultimate test of endurance and is a true celebration of outdoor adventure,” said David Heath, Managing Director, YETI EMEA. “YETI gear is built to thrive in the harshest conditions, and we are honoured to help support the team and ensure they can perform at their best in the most extreme terrain. We are excited to collaborate on future innovations and find ways to share the amazing stories of the drivers, mechanics and crew who make this rally possible.”

Product detail ‑ YETI will equip and enable the Defender Rally team with their extensive range of premium outdoor gear, including Pangas, Crossroads, Ranchero bags, various hard coolers and Rambler drinkware.

About Bell & Ross
The history of Bell & Ross began in 1994, driven by two friends, Carlos‑A. Rosillo and Bruno Belamich, both passionate about watchmaking and aviation. With a Franco‑Swiss heritage, Bell & Ross quickly became a reference in the field of professional aviation watches. In 2005, the company revolutionized watch design codes with the creation of the BR‑01, inspired by aeronautical instruments. The iconic "circle within a square" was born, becoming its visual signature. Bell & Ross then established its distinctive design at the heart of every collection: the professional BR‑03 collection, the urban BR 05 collection, and the avant‑garde BR‑X5 manufacture line. Synthesizing innovation and watchmaking excellence, Bell & Ross embodies the motto "From the cockpit to the wrist," catering to extreme professionals as well as individuals seeking functional and distinctive watches. The watchmaking company is present in over 80 countries through a carefully selected international network of 600 retailers and 25 exclusive boutiques.

QUOTE: “We are very pleased to have officially partnered with Defender Rally, marking an important milestone in the history of Bell & Ross. This collaboration fits seamlessly within our brand universe and values, reinforcing our long‑standing commitment to precision and performance. It also perfectly resonates with our professional timepieces – the BR‑03 and BR‑X3 – instruments crafted for the most demanding conditions and designed for bold adventurers who rely on uncompromising reliability.” Carlos‑A. Rosillo, co‑founder and President of Bell & Ross.

About Defender

Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern‑day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future.

Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own.

As part of our vision of modern luxury by design, Defender 110 is available as an electric hybrid. 

Defender Hard Top means business, with 90 and 110 body styles for professional capability.

The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off‑road. 

A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. 

The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world‑leading off‑road capability. 

Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

Defender Rally

Defender embraces the impossible, and Defender Rally embodies this to the extreme, demonstrating the ultimate capability, reliability and endurance in the most challenging of environments. 

In 2025 Defender became the official car partner of the Dakar Rally, the partnership set to continue in 2026, 2027 and 2028. From 2026, Defender will also compete in the FIA World Rally‑Raid Championship (W2RC), entering the ‘Stock’ category – this being the first of a three‑year programme.

Defender’s capability is designed to take on the most challenging of conditions, with Dakar Rally being the ultimate test. The competition car retains the same tough, purpose‑engineered D7x body architecture as the Defender, based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create a stiff body structure, in addition to featuring the 4.4‑litre twin turbo V8 engine from Defender OCTA to provide exceptional driveability. 

While Defender will not compete in Dakar until 2026, it played a key role at the 2025 rally as the event’s official vehicle partner. A fleet of 20 Defenders supported the event, which began in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, and ended in Shubaytah, transporting race officials and VIP media. A further six highly specialised Defender recce vehicles will be used by Dakar Rally organisers to plan the routes for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 events.

Follow our Dakar Rally journey on Defender YouTube to learn more about the Defender Dakar D7X‑R, our drivers and for race updates.

 Important notice
JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part or accessory. All figures are manufacturer’s estimates.