Land Rover is set to introduce the latest Defender Octa later this year, marking it as the most powerful variant of the off-road vehicle and the first to bear the ‘JLR’ badge. Following a restructuring in 2023, Jaguar Land Rover transformed into JLR, establishing the Defender, Range Rover, and Discovery models as standalone brands. The Defender Octa represents a significant step in this new brand direction.
The Octa badge on the Land Rover Defender draws inspiration from the octahedron shape of a diamond, renowned as one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals on Earth. While specific specifications have not been disclosed by JLR yet, it is anticipated that the Defender Octa will be equipped with a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine sourced from BMW, similar to the one powering the Range Rover line-up, including the Sport SV. This V8 engine delivers 609 bhp and 800 Nm of torque, enabling the Range Rover Sport SV to accelerate from 0-100 kmph in a mere 3.8 seconds.
The Defender Octa is expected to feature the ‘6D Dynamic’ suspension system from the Range Rover Sport SV, designed to maintain a near-level position during acceleration, braking, and cornering on-road. Additionally, bespoke Brembo brakes will be implemented on this performance-oriented model. The unique Octa diamond logo is showcased in the teaser, likely to be featured on various parts of the SUV, such as the steering wheel and side-pannier mounts.
JLR is rigorously testing the upcoming Defender Octa across diverse terrains, ranging from the snow and ice conditions of Sweden to the challenging Dubai desert. The vehicle is also being put through its paces on the Nurburgring track and the Moab rock crawls. Positioned as the new range-topping model in the Defender lineup, the Defender Octa will display a fresh JLR badging while retaining the ‘Land Rover’ name as an honorary badge on the exterior. Stay tuned for more details on the Defender Octa in the coming weeks and reach out to your nearest dealer to secure a reservation for the initial batch of this impressive off-roader.
