The Defender Octa is powered by a twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine.
Land RoverWe live in an era of ridiculously overpowered off-road vehicles (not that we’re complaining). The Ford F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor. The Ram 1500 TRX. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (RIP).
Now, Land Rover is tossing its hat into the ring with the fastest and most powerful Defender ever: the Defender Octa.
So, how fast and powerful are we talking? Is it a gas-powered SUV or an EV? When can we buy one? And what’s going on with the branding these days, anyway?
It’s a lot to take in. Here’s everything you need to know about the Defender Octa.
It has a V8
Jaguar Land Rover had one of the most ambitious electrification plans in the auto industry, but it rolled back those plans extensively earlier this year due to continued consumer demand for plug-in hybrids. As such, the Defender Octa will not be the first electric Defender, though it does have some hybrid technology.
The powerplant under the bonnet of the forthcoming 4×4 is a V8 engine with two turbochargers along with mild hybrid technology for additional assistance to the engine. As for the exact engine used, along with horsepower, torque and performance specs, well, those all remain a mystery as Land Rover hasn’t disclosed any of that yet. But we do know it’s going to be the most powerful Defender ever, which means it will put out more than the current Defender 110 V8‘s 518 horses.
It borrows suspension tech from Range Rover
The Octa marks the first time a Defender will be equipped with the Range Rover Sport SV’s 6D Dynamics suspension system. The advanced hydraulic interlinked air suspension system swaps out anti-roll bars with a hydraulic circuit and allows the suspension to better adapt to changing conditions.
The system’s unique pitch and roll control system, according to Land Rover, means the Octa will stay level even when cornering at high speed but still has enough wheel travel to easily traverse rough and rocky off-road terrain. Land Rover is also describing the Octa as the most capable Defender ever, not just the most powerful.
The Octa debuts some new branding for Defender
It’s been a little difficult to keep up with the branding changes going on over at Jaguar Land Rover.
The company recently rebranded itself as a “house of brands” with four sub-brands: Jaguar, Range Rover, Defender and Discovery. The brands that were formally Land Rover models still carry Land Rover badging, though, which makes it all very confusing.
Well, prepare to be even more confused! The Octa debuts a diamond-like badge that denotes it as a new Defender flagship, and the same badge will appear on future flagship Defender models. Land Rover says the name Octa comes from “a diamond’s octahedron shape” and is meant to symbolize luxury and rarity. Right. The thing to remember is that if you see the Octa logo on a Defender, you’re looking at something special.
Get ready for more power in 2024
While the vehicle was just announced, we won’t have to wait long before getting the chance to see or even drive a Defender Octa. Although Land Rover has not yet given a release date, the automaker did state that the Octa will be fully unveiled later this year, and it’s asking potential buyers to contact dealerships now to stake their claims.
The SUV is currently being put through its paces prior to its final reveal, with Land Rover stating in a press release that the Octa is “undergoing the most exhaustive development regime in Defender history,” which includes snow and ice testing in Sweden, desert runs in Dubai, rock climbing in Moab and even laps around the Nürburgring.
