Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has teased a new version of Defender which is slated to make its debut later this year. Called Defender Octa, it will be the most powerful vehicle to don the Defender badge with a V8 Twin Turbo motor plonked into it. The upcoming premium lifestyle SUV will sit on top of the Defender lineup.
Currently, the Defender lineup is broadly categorised into three ranges– 90, 110 and 130. The Defender V8 is available on all three versions including a few special models like the Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition.
Land Rover Defender Octa V8 teased
Coming to Defender Octa, the new flagship model will be the toughest, most capable and luxurious model in the Defender line-up. The new ‘Octa’ name is inspired by the vehicle’s diamond’s octahedron shape, since diamond happens to be the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, renowned for its rarity.
A new encircled diamond graphic symbolises the flagship Defender model. It features on a number of interior and exterior components, including a gloss black diamond within a machined and sandblasted titanium disc on each Signature Graphic panel. Titanium has also been chosen for its robustness and resilience to the elements in its natural state.
Speaking about Defender Octa’s design, “The Defender OCTA name and signature graphic are representative of the vehicle’s strength, resilience and desirability – inspired by the vehicle’s diamond-like tough luxury credentials. The new signature graphic is particularly significant as it will be the first time it is seen on a Defender – and it will identify all flagship Defender models in the future.”
Images released by Land Rover reveal that the Octa receives a bespoke set of Brembo brakes, indicating superior on-track performance. Like the brake callipers, the steering wheel and alloy wheels are adorned with the new Octa logo, distinguishing itself from the other models in the Defender lineup.
Presently, the Defender Octa is undergoing rigorous testing in various terrains and conditions including the snow and ice of Sweden to Dubai desert, Nürburgring tarmac and Moab rock crawls.
Land Rover Defender Octa V8: Mechanical specs
Although Land Rover hasn’t disclosed any key specs regarding the powertrain, it is clear that the British marque won’t employ the current supercharged AJ V8 available in the existing Defender V8. Instead, Land Rover is likely to use the BMW-sourced 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged petrol motor which currently powers a few Range Rover models.
This 4.4-litre V8 dishes out 610 bhp and 800 Nm of peak torque sending power to all four wheels with a 4WD. Land Rover claims the additional performance would not come at the cost of its legendary off-roading capability.
The upcoming Defender Octa will boast of a new 6D Dynamic suspension setup featuring an innovative pitch and roll control system. This will enable the flagship Defender to maintain a near-level stance during acceleration, braking and cornering on-road, while also maximising independent wheel travel and articulation across the most demanding off-road terrain.
