Land Rover Defender OCTA: Unveiling the Ultimate in Power and Capability

Meet the Land Rover Defender OCTA, featuring a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 hp and cutting-edge off-road enhancements, debuting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Land Rover Defender family welcomes its newest member, the most powerful and quickest model ever to wear the Defender badge. Named the OCTA, it has been unveiled ahead of its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next weekend.

At the heart of the Defender OCTA is its powertrain. Unlike the current Defender V8 with its supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the OCTA is powered by a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with mild-hybrid technology. It delivers 626 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque, which increases to 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) with launch control activated.

In straight-line performance, this formidable 4×4 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds or 4.0 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph), making it the fastest Defender ever. However, the Defender’s legacy lies not only in its on-road performance but also in its ruggedness and off-road capability, qualities that define its iconic status. Land Rover has ensured these traits are retained in the OCTA.

The new model sits 1.1 inches (28 mm) higher than lesser Defender variants and boasts a 2.7-inch (68 mm) wider stance. It features longer and more robust wishbones for improved wheel articulation and is equipped with Land Rover’s new 6D Dynamics suspension technology. This setup includes hydraulically interconnected continuously variable semi-active dampers that reduce pitch and body roll on-road while enhancing articulation off-road.

Land Rover has also equipped the OCTA with a system that automatically detects driving surface conditions and optimizes the Defender’s settings accordingly. Drivers can manually adjust steering, throttle response, and suspension settings. A new driving mode called ’OCTA’ enables Off-Road Launch Control and adjusts ABS for enhanced performance on loose surfaces. The OCTA retains the same array of Terrain Response modes as other Defenders, including settings for Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl.

Externally, the OCTA stands out with its dramatic appearance, featuring 33-inch Goodyear Advanced All-Terrain tires, flared wheel arches, a redesigned front fascia, and a new rear bumper with quad tailpipes. All OCTAs come with a distinctive two-tone paint scheme featuring a Narvik Black roof and tailgate, and owners have the option of applying a matte protective film across the body.

Inside the cabin, changes include two new Ultrafabric options, alongside standard Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather with Kvadrat textile trim. Land Rover has developed new seats for the OCTA and installed an upgraded audio system designed to deliver an immersive music experience for front passengers.

The U.S. pricing for the Land Rover Defender OCTA starts at $152,000, with the initial production year exclusively offering the Defender OCTA Edition One variant, priced from $167,800.