Defender, represented by Borusan Otomotiv in Turkey, is taking center stage with an exclusive documentary series documenting its preparations for its debut in the Dakar Rally—one of the world’s most grueling motorsport challenges. Produced by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the three-part series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Defender Rally team’s journey to the 2026 Dakar Rally, showcasing the brand’s “embrace the impossible” spirit.
The 2026 Dakar Rally, where Defender will compete in the “Stock” category, marks the first and most critical step of the brand’s three-year FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) program.
The racing-spec Defender D7X-R was developed using the D7x body architecture, powertrain, and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine of the Defender OCTA—recently named “Best Off-Roader of 2026” by BBC Top Gear. The vehicle has been enhanced with targeted motorsport modifications to withstand the extreme conditions of Dakar.
The three-part docuseries produced by Warner Bros. Discovery captures every detail of the intense preparation process, from brutal off-road testing to the Dakar starting line. The series features a world-class lineup, including:
Stéphane Peterhansel (14-time Dakar winner) and co-driver Mika Metge.
Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal.
Sara Price and Sean Berriman.
Narrated by Emmy-winning actress Gillian Anderson, the series places a powerful emphasis on the rising influence of women in motorsport. Viewers will get unrivalled access to exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage of Sara Price, who returns to the Dakar Rally with the ambition of a victory after her successful debut years and 17 national motocross championships.
The first 45-minute episode will air globally on January 3, 2026, just ahead of the Dakar Rally, on Eurosport and TNT Sports. This initial installment provides a unique look at the team’s preparation, featuring vehicle tests, driver interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. The second and third episodes will be released later in the year, following filming during the rally itself.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, commented: “The Dakar Rally is a true challenge, and we are pushing our limits to the maximum. By retaining the engineering foundation of the highly capable Defender OCTA and applying motorsport enhancements, we created the Dakar D7X-R. We are thrilled to offer viewers an inside look at our journey to the start line through this series.”
The Defender Dakar D7X-R embodies the brand’s “impossible” philosophy, demonstrating superior durability and performance with the support of Castrol. As part of this collaboration, Castrol will support the team throughout the 2026 W2RC, supplying all lubricants and greases for the Defender Dakar D7X-R.
