Land Rover, Defender Octa revealed, Goodwood Festival of speed 2024

Land Rover has revealed the new Defender Octa ahead of its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week. Its the most extreme, powerful and capable variant of the 4×4 yet, and is solely based on the 110 body style. Land Rover has revealed prices for the Defender Octa in India will start from Rs 2.65 crore; the Edition One, which will be available through the first year of production, will be priced from Rs 2.85 crore, both prices ex-showroom.  

1. Defender Octa gets a 626hp BMW derived V8
2. Has a 319mm of ground clearance
3. Gets specially made tyre options from Goodyear

Defender Octa: engine, performance 

The first model from the new Octa sub-brand for special-edition Defenders is powered by the same 4.4-litre BMW-derived V8 as the Range Rover, but it has been ramped up to 635hp and 750Nm to rival the Mercedes-AMG G63. That’s enough muscle to push the 2510kg SUV from 0-96kph in a supercar-baiting 3.8sec and all the way to a top speed of 250kph. This puts it close to the Range Rover Sport SV in terms of outright pace and dwarfs the standard Defender V8, which uses JLR’s older supercharged unit, by 108hp.

Defender Octa: chassis setup 

But despite its prodigious on-road performance, the focus for the Octa is more on providing greater levels of off-road ability than any Land Rover to date. To prove its durability and duality, engineers put the Octa through 13,960 tests and clocked up over 10lakh kms in challenging and wildly varying conditions all around the world. These included sand dunes in Dubai, snow and ice circuits in Sweden, on track at the Nürburgring and at the unforgiving Dakar Rally proving ground in the south of France.

The key to this flexibility is the Octa’s highly advanced chassis set-up. The model is fitted 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 actively keep the cabin as stable as possible without the need for a physical anti-roll bar.

In addition, the Octa features longer and tougher wishbones, beefed-up underbody protection and the quickest steering rack of any Defender yet to improve reaction times over extreme terrain and on the track. As well as the standard drive modes, the flagship is equipped with a new Octa setting, which in addition to priming the SUV for the toughest trails has a dedicated off-road launch mode built in.

Defender Octa: off-road stats

New front and rear bumpers increase the Defender’s maximum approach angle to 40 degree (up from 37.5 degree), departure angle to 42 degree (up from 40 degree) and breakover angle to 29 degree (up from 27.9 degree). The ride height has risen by 28mm over the benchmarked Defender 110 V8, with a maximum ground clearance of 319mm. The wading depth has also improved by 100mm to one metre. The maximum articulation has significantly increased to 569mm from the standard 110’s 430mm, too.

To get the most out of the flagship SUV, engineers have created a bespoke off-road tyre. Fitted to specially designed 20-inch rims, the Advanced All-Terrain rubber was developed in partnership with Goodyear and features a bespoke tread pattern. It is limited to a 160kph top speed. There is, though, a less extreme alternative that splits the difference between the bespoke All-Terrains and the standard, road-focused all-seasons, with a top speed of 210kph.

Defender Octa: design and features

As well as flared arches, exclusive alloy wheels and a loftier ride, the Octa stands out from the standard Defender with a new, more open grille design and diamond Octa badge on its C-pillar. All Octa models feature a contrasting gloss black roof and tailgate. Inside, it gets new performance seats with a 3D-knit texture, an integrated headrest and a seamless finish, something that will be made available in other JLR vehicles soon. The Octa also features the top-rung 11.4-inch infotainment screen, a centre console fridge and Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather as standard.

The Edition One, which is also the most hardcore variant, is marked out with top-rung tyres, 20-in wheels, a roof box and a rear ladder. It also gets carbonfibre detailing, Faroe Green paint and khaki interior upholstery. The more road-focused Octa comes with 22-inch alloys with all-season tyres and retractable side steps.

Special colours, such as Petra Copper, Faroe Green, Carpathian Grey and Charente Grey, will also be introduced by the Octa. Matt finishes, which include a protective film, of all colours are available too. These colours will later filter into the core Defender range.

The Octa will make its public debut at next week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Order books will open on 31 July and the first deliveries will begin later this year.

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