The Land Rover Defender Octa is undeniably powerful, boasting 635 PS and 750 Nm on tap. But that’s on paper – does it have what it takes to perform in the real world?

To test the true capabilities of the Defender Octa, Land Rover has announced that it will participate in the Dakar Rally and the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) starting next year.

The automaker said it will run a two‑vehicle entry of competition‑spec Defenders in W2RC under the ‘Stock’ category for production‑based vehicles, and a three‑vehicle entry in the Dakar Rally.

Competing in the Stock category means the Defender Octa will retain its engine, transmission, drivetrain, and body design as per the production model.

Racing with a standard powertrain may sound dull, but new regulations set to be implemented by 2026 will make said category significantly more competitive.

Launched in July 2024, the Defender Octa is the fastest Defender ever produced by Land Rover. It is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds, aided by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Additionally, the SUV features a D7x architecture based on a monocoque aluminium construction, which is said to be three times stronger than traditional body-on-frame designs.

The suspension system comprises semi-active dampers designed to reduce pitch and body roll while maximising suspension articulation, allowing it to tackle more extreme terrains.