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The new Land Rover Defender Octa is the most high-performance version in the Defender lineup, enhancing both toughness and luxury. Defender is a name synonymous with off-roading, evoking a sense of solidity and robustness. Land Rover has introduced the Defender Octa, powered by a new 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 motor, replacing the older 5.0L Supercharged unit. Here’s everything you need to know.
Land Rover Defender Octa derives its name from diamonds, symbolizing toughness and luxury, akin to the Defender itself. This model aims to redefine tough luxury in automobiles. In India, the Defender Octa is available starting at Rs 2.65 crore (Ex-showroom), with a more exclusive Edition One priced at Rs 2.85 crore (Ex-showroom).
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Edition One features an exclusive Faroe Green exterior paint scheme with Khaki and Ebony seamless knit Ultrafabrics for the interior upholstery. It also boasts 20-inch forged alloy wheels with options for all-terrain tires, along with chopped carbon fiber elements on the exterior and interior. The Octa has a unique new emblem, and Edition One has its own distinct emblem. It features the largest tires ever on a Defender, at 33 inches, necessitating extended wheel arches. The front and rear bumpers are new, matching the flared arches. Additionally, a tough metallic multi-panel bash plate provides underbody protection, and the quad exhaust setup adds a striking look.
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All Octa models come with a Narvick Black roof and tailgate. For the first time, the Defender Octa features a hydraulically interlinked 6D Dynamics semi-active suspension system, offering uncompromised performance and the fastest steering geometry of any Defender to date. It also includes 400mm front brakes with Brembo calipers and an impressive 1-meter water-wading capability.
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Inside, only Edition One has chopped carbon fiber trims and Ultrafabric PU options. Both the standard Defender Octa and Edition One come with new performance seats and Body and Soul audio technology, allowing front occupants to both hear and feel the music. There is hope that Land Rover will consider local assembly of the Defender Octa for more attractive pricing, similar to Range Rover models.
The Defender Octa features a new engine with impressive performance metrics: up to 586 bhp and 800 Nm of torque (750 Nm standard), achieving a 100 km/h sprint in just 4 seconds. This new engine is complemented by a host of electronics, including enhanced drive modes (Comfort, Dynamic, and Octa), off-road launch control, switchable traction control, off-road ABS, Clear-Sight Ground View, and Terrain Response Modes (Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl). The new high-performance SUV will debut at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed, with bookings commencing soon. The Defender Octa will compete with luxury legacy off-roaders like the Mercedes-Benz G Class and Lexus LX.
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Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, stated, “With the new Defender Octa, we have unlocked the full potential of Defender. It epitomizes breadth of capability and showcases our best technologies and engineering talents. With its powerful V8 engine, groundbreaking 6D Dynamics suspension technology, exquisite finishes, and unique detailing, it is rare, incredibly tough, and inherently desirable.” Jamal Hameedi, Director of SVO, Jaguar Land Rover, added, “Our high-performance experts have created the most capable Defender ever made. They have re-engineered components throughout the vehicle to ensure Defender Octa is the perfect companion for epic adventures anywhere on the planet.”
