Why Portugal Will Fascinate Us as Much as Dakar: The Defender Put to the Test

It was the announcement that sent shockwaves through the motorsport world in January 2026: at its very first attempt, the Defender Rally Team conquered the ​“Everest of motorsport.” Winning the 2026 Dakar Rally marked one of the most remarkable debuts in recent years. Entering as complete newcomers, the team secured first and second place in the production-based Stock category. A cold start that ended straight on the podium.

Yet triumph in the desert sand now gives way to a new challenge on European soil. From 17 to 22 March 2026, the caravan moves on to the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, the second round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). For the Defender, it is the opportunity to prove that victory in the desert was no stroke of luck, but the result of genuine capability.

Paris-Dakar in the Rearview Mirror

When one thinks of rally raid, images of the legendary Paris-Dakar immediately come to mind — an era when adventurers sought the extreme in vehicles that were, at heart, close to production models. The Defender Dakar D7x‑R picks up precisely this legacy. It is no futuristic spaceship, but a machine derived directly from the Defender OCTA. Its engine, transmission and aluminium architecture come straight from the production line.

At a time when racing cars often resemble laboratory prototypes, this approach feels refreshingly authentic. The focus lies on reliability and substance rather than spectacle. That proximity to a vehicle one could, in theory, drive oneself made the Dakar victory so tangible — and makes Portugal all the more compelling.

Portugal’s Answer to Endless Horizons

After the vast emptiness of Saudi Arabia, a terrain of entirely different beauty awaits. Approximately 1,700 kilometres across Portugal and Spain demand a new level of concentration from the drivers.

In the desert, the open horizon often dictated direction. In Portugal, it is the narrow tracks between ancient cork oaks, sandy stretches along the Alentejo coast and twisting forest roads that allow little margin for error. The course is tighter, faster and requires a refined sense of rhythm. Added to this is the Portuguese spring: muddy trails and slippery sections put the Defender’s suspension and drivetrain to a serious test. It is not infinite space but constant variation that makes Portugal so captivating — a true proving ground for the vehicle’s agility.

From the Paddock to Everyday Life

This is what excites us as enthusiasts: the close connection to the car itself. When the Defender charges across terrain that appears almost impassable, it becomes the most convincing promise of quality imaginable. It reassures us that the Defender OCTA in everyday life — whether en route to a vineyard or navigating mountain roads — possesses reserves we may never fully call upon.

True luxury here lies in trusting the technology, whatever the circumstances. Owning a Defender means carrying a piece of that robustness now being tested on Portuguese soil.

A Team Bound by Determination

Behind the wheel are the drivers who already impressed us in Dakar: Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal, supported by Sara Price and the legendary Stéphane Peterhansel. Experience meets pure energy.

In Portugal, the mission is confirmation. Each stage demonstrates anew that the Defender is not only a master of sand but equally at home on Europe’s demanding terrain. As it charges through the dust of Extremadura, the story that began in the dunes finds its logical continuation. The myth lives on — and we are eager to see how it performs along the Atlantic coast.

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