Peter Lyon
July 4, 2024
Defender has a new model in the lineup. The new Defender Octa is expected to be the most robust, capable, and luxurious model in the 4×4 family portfolio from JLR. For those who are perplexed as to why we are not referring to it as the Land Rover Defender Octa, the Octa is what the brand want us to call it in Malaysia, where it has just gone on sale. In fact, Defender is now its own distinct brand under JLR.
In case you were wondering, the octahedral form of a diamond, the hardest and most sought-after mineral on earth, is the source of the Octa’s name. This Defender variant is expected to make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
The Octa will be the most powerful and most extreme Defender ever made. Powered with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine with 635 hp and 750 Nm, these numbers approach that of the Range Rover Sport SV. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a twin-speed transfer box and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. If 22-inch lightweight rims and all-season tyres are fitted, The Octa will reach a top speed of 248 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds.
The extensively redesigned chassis parts with cutting-edge technologies, such as the 6D Dynamics suspension, are new for the Defender Octa. It employs hardware and geometry changes, lifting the body by 28 mm and widening its stance by 68 mm. Exclusive to the Octa is the continuously variable active dampers with separate accumulators, and for quick and accurate steering response, it also has the fastest steering ratio of any Defender to date with upgraded 400 mm front brake discs and Brembo calipers.
The Octa boasts a unique look thanks to its freshly revised bumpers, quad-tailpipe active exhaust system, unique grille for increased airflow beneath the bonnet, aluminium alloy front under shield, and exposed Phosphor Bronze-finished front and rear recovery points.
Defender is adding “Octa,” a performance-focused off-road mode, to its lineup of driving modes. Octa is a new option that complements Comfort and Dynamic, with the goal of enhancing driver confidence and control in challenging terrain. The Octa delivers superb off-road traction while offering more than adequate power. In addition to ‘Octa’ mode, you also get Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass, Gravel, Snow, and Rock Crawl. Additionally, ClearSight Ground View is included to help with forward visibility by simulating a transparent bonnet.
A Defender wouldn’t be a Defender without discussing luxury features as well. Octa focuses primarily on driver and passenger comfort and engagement with the front row boasting all-new performance seats with integrated headrests and beefier bolster supports specifically designed to enhance the driving experience.
Additionally, it has Body and Soul Seat audio technology, which was formerly available on the Range Rover Sport SV. Two fabric alternatives, which are 30% lighter than conventional leather are available to enhance the driver-focused cockpit.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
For those looking for a unique heavy-duty off-roader with a generous splash of luxury and flare, then the Octa may just be for you. Packing a 635-hp V8 mild-hybrid and a cool design that would look as good in a new Mission Impossible installment as it would in a new Jason Bourne flick, the Octa offers everything the off-road enthusiast could possibly want.
