With a twin-turbo V8, the Land Rover Defender Octa was hinted to be the most powerful Defender ever

The new Land Rover Defender Octa has been hinted at by British carmaker Land Rover. Later this year, the SUV will make its debut internationally and become the first JLR vehicle to use the “Octa” badge. All future top-of-the-line Defender models will have the “Octa” insignia. According to the manufacturer, the term “Octa” is inspired by the octahedron form of diamonds, which are the toughest naturally occurring material on the planet.

The Defender OCTA will be “the toughest, most capable, and most luxurious Defender vehicle ever,” according to Land Rover. The car is being tested in the “most exhaustive” variety of conditions—from the snow and ice of Sweden to the Dubai desert, the Nürburgring Tarmac, and Moab rock crawls—of any of the company’s vehicles to date, according to the statement.

Although the business has stated that the Octa would be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8, it has not disclosed any technical specifics about the SUV. By contrast, the current Defender lineup makes use of a supercharged ‘AJ’ unit. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that powers the Range Rover Sport SV is anticipated to be installed in the Octa. It is supplied by BMW. The engine has a stated 0-100 kph sprint time of only 3.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of almost 280 kph. It produces 618 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque.

The Defender Octa will also be equipped with the same “6D Dynamic” suspension technology as the Range Rover Sport SV. Instead of using a conventional anti-roll bar, the vehicle’s hydraulic system links dampers throughout, allowing for active pitch and roll control. For tough off-road situations, this configuration guarantees enough wheel articulation while preserving comfort and performance on the road.

Additionally, a new diamond-shaped logo will be applied to the Octa’s side panelling and steering wheel. It will also get a custom set of Brembo brakes, as the teaser picture indicates. Later this year, all information, including specs and price, will be revealed. The Octa will replace the Defender as the new flagship model.
Defender’s managing director, Mark Cameron, stated: “With a history dating back to the 1948 Series 1, Defender has been synonymous with all-terrain capability.” With its striking posture, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched attention to detail, the New Defender OCTA will elevate this to a whole new level. Its incredible performance, combined with a daring new outlook, will allow our customers to experience epic excursions in the lap of luxury.