Land Rover reveals an exclusive Defender powered by a BMW V8
Are you looking for a high-horsepower offroader that offers luxury, performance, utility, and prestige all at the same time? What you're looking for isn't the Mercedes-AMG G63, but it is the new Land Rover Defender OCTA.
LAND ROVER
This is the new Defender OCTA, the latest model in the Defender lineup which is supposedly good at everything. Designed as the toughest, most capable, most luxurious Defender yet, the OCTA takes the capabilities of a Defender 110, and turns things up a bit.
LAND ROVER
LAND ROVER
The exterior of the Defender OCTA is designed to be more rugged and imposing, featuring a raised ride height, widened stance, and extended wheel arches. It features 33-inch diameter tires, the largest ever fitted to a production Defender. The OCTA looks like a Defender that went to the gym, perhaps to accommodate a certain engine from a certain German marque.
Redesigned bumpers improve approach and departure angles, while robust underbody protection improves off-road capabilities. The OCTA can wade through up to 3.3 feet of water, the deepest of any production Defender. The OCTA also sits 1.1 inches higher and has a stance widened by 2.7 inches for superior ground clearance and stability. LR claims that an advanced "6D" Dynamics suspension and revised chassis components ensure exceptional dynamic performance both on and off-road. The revised suspension components include longer and tougher wishbones, unique active dampers, and uprated front brake discs with 6 Opposed Piston Brembo calipers. Safe to consider the off-road box ticked.
LAND ROVER
Performance, however, is the highlight element of the Defender OCTA, elevating it above standard Defender models. It's powered by a 4.4-liter Twin Turbo mild-hybrid BMW V8 engine, delivering 626 horsepower and up to 553 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, a noteworthy improvement from the previous 5.0 liter V8. The OCTA reaches a top speed of 155 mph with 22-inch wheels and all-season tires. The eight-speed automatic transmission with high and low-range gears and enhanced drive modes should offer versatile drivability. LR says the suspension offers comfort and control on all terrains, ensuring maximum wheel articulation off-road and reduced roll on-road. The OCTA seems to be a bit of an all-rounder.
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The name OCTA is inspired by the octahedral shape of diamonds, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the V8-powered Defender. This is reflected in the encircled diamond graphic on each Signature Graphic panel. The "tough luxury" nature of the OCTA is epitomized by the Edition One variant, available only in the first year of production, featuring an exclusive Faroe Green paint color, Khaki and Ebony Ultrafabrics, Chopped Carbon Fiber detailing, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
LAND ROVER
LAND ROVER
Inside, the Defender OCTA offers curated selections of highly durable Ultrafabrics, with the Edition One featuring duo-tone Khaki and Ebony, a 3D-knit textile, and a seamless finish. The standard interior includes either a Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather with Kvadrat trim, an optional Ultrafabrics in Light Cloud and Lunar, or Ebony semi-aniline leather. The front row features seats with supportive bolsters and integrated headrests. The OCTA introduces Body and Soul Seat audio, which was developed in collaboration with SUBPAC and Coventry University, allowing passengers to hear and feel the music.
The high-performance Defender is set to make its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, starting at $152,000, with the Edition One priced at $167,800.
LAND ROVER
