Land Rover has unveiled its most extreme and powerful variant of the Defender yet, called the Defender Octa. Limited to 1070 examples, this flagship model showcases the peak capabilities of the brand. The Octa is powered by a 4.4-litre BMW-derived V8 engine that has been ramped up to produce 626bhp and 590lb ft of torque, allowing it to go from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph. This puts it in direct competition with the Mercedes-AMG G63.
While the Octa boasts impressive on-road performance, its main focus is on providing exceptional off-road capabilities. To prove its durability and duality, Land Rover engineers put the Octa through rigorous testing, including sand dunes in Dubai, snow and ice circuits in Sweden, and the unforgiving Dakar Rally proving ground in France. The company wanted to demonstrate that the Octa could push the boundaries of what a Defender can do without compromising on-road drivability or comfort.
One of the key features that sets the Octa apart is its highly advanced chassis set-up. It is equipped with the 6D Dynamics suspension system from the Range Rover Sport SV, which hydraulically links the dampers front to rear and side to side to keep the cabin as stable as possible without the need for a physical anti-roll bar. The Octa also features new front and rear bumpers that improve its approach, departure, and breakover angles, as well as longer and tougher wishbones, beefed-up underbody protection, and the quickest steering rack of any Defender yet.
To enhance its off-road capabilities even further, Land Rover has developed a bespoke off-road tire in partnership with Goodyear. The tire features a unique tread pattern and is fitted to specially designed 20-inch rims. It offers excellent puncture resistance while still providing proper on-road steering and handling.
In terms of design, the Octa stands out from the standard Defender with flared arches, exclusive alloy wheels, and a new, more open grille design. It also features a contrasting gloss black roof and tailgate, as well as special colors like Petra Copper, Faroe Green, Carpathian Grey, and Charente Grey. Inside, the Octa comes with new performance seats, an 11.4-inch infotainment screen, a center console fridge, and Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather as standard.
The limited-run Octa is priced from £145,300 and is seen as a crucial source of revenue generation for future product development, particularly the electrification of all four JLR brands. The most hardcore variant, the Year One edition priced at £158,000, comes with top-of-the-line features such as carbon fiber detailing, Faroe Green paint, and khaki interior features. Order books for the Octa will open on July 31, and deliveries will begin later this year.
In an interview with Autocar, Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender and Discovery, discussed the future direction of the Defender brand. He emphasized that Defender is now the epic adventure side of the Land Rover brand, with a focus on being even more bulletproof, robust, durable, and capable of going anywhere. He also mentioned that the brand will be pushing forward with electric vehicles and refreshing the current model to keep it fresh.
Overall, the Defender Octa represents a bold step forward for Land Rover’s iconic Defender brand. With its extreme performance, advanced off-road capabilities, and luxurious features, it showcases the peak capabilities of the brand while staying true to its rugged heritage.