This is the new Defender Octa, the most powerful production version of the big SUV yet to see the light of day. Taking its name from the structure of the most precious gemstone on the planet, the Octa aims to be the diamond-standard of 4x4s - both on the road, and off it.
Uprated drivetrain and chassis hardware
This is not the first V8-engined model of the current Defender generation, and nor is it the biggest capacity, but the 5.0-litre supercharged engine which went before it is not employed here. Instead, the Octa runs a 4.4-litre biturbo V8 with mild-hybrid technology, which is good for up to 635hp and 750Nm, that latter figure rising to 800Nm during a time-limited ‘Dynamic Launch Control’ phase.
Thus equipped, the Octa - solely offered in the ‘110’ body, so it’s not available as a 90 or a 130 - can run 0-100km/h in just four seconds and go on to a limited 250km/h. However, that ludicrous latter figure is only possible on the 22-inch lightweight alloys with sports tyres; opt to fit this Defender with its off-road-optimised tyres, and the top speed drops to either 209km/h, or all the way down to 159km/h on a special, hardcore all-terrain tyre.
Alongside the V8, the Octa has an eight-speed automatic transmission with high- and low-ratio gears, plus uprated brakes with Brembo callipers and 400mm front discs, the fastest steering set-up in Defender history - although that’s not the highest bar for it to have to clear, in all fairness - and the ‘6D Dynamics’ advanced suspension as seen on the Range Rover Sport SV.
This is a semi-active, continuously variable, hydraulically interlinked system which can negate body roll and pitch before it happens, making the Octa corner flat. But it has off-road benefits too, as it allows for more wheel articulation on rough terrain, meaning Land Rover actually says this car is better away from tarmac than a standard Defender, rather than being compromised by its pursuit of speed and power.
Wider and taller body
Visually, the Octa is 68mm wider and 28mm taller than a Defender 110, with wider wheel arches and a broad track for the axles giving it the stance. That increase in height also makes this the Defender with the greatest wading depth of all, at 1,000mm, and we reckon that puts the Octa ahead of any other mainstream 4x4 or SUV in that regard.
A limited-run Edition One variant will be offered, which has plenty of chopped carbon-fibre detailing on its body. But any Defender Octa should have lots of kerb appeal, thanks to four eye-catching paint jobs, a mainly black tailgate and rear-lights area, and the distinctive encircled-diamond logos of the Octa.
This graphic has been chosen because the Octa takes its name from the structure of diamond, which Land Rover likes to allude to because it is a “rare combination of extreme toughness and luxury” - pretty much this Defender’s raison d'être.
The Octa also has its own design of front and rear bumpers, into the latter of which the quad exhausts have been incorporated. They have angled tips, though, so that the departure angle of the Defender is preserved for its off-roading work.
Octa button on the steering wheel
Inside, there are various bespoke materials and upholstery finishes for the Octa, with the main physical changes amounting to the ‘Body and Soul’ seats linked to the sound system so that owners can feel as well as hear their favourite music.
On the steering wheel is the Octa button: one click of it puts the Land Rover into its Dynamic on-road mode and lights up various features inside red; while a long press of it engages Octa mode, the most extreme off-road setting of the vehicle.
Like any Defender, the Octa still has a separate Terrain Response switch, with specific calibrations for Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl.
Mark Cameron, the managing director for the Defender line, said: “With new Defender Octa, we have been able to unlock the full potential of Defender. It is the very definition of breadth of capability, and a testament to what we can achieve utilising the very best technologies and talents within our engineering division.
“With its powerful V8 engine, ground-breaking 6D Dynamics suspension technology, exquisite finishes and unique detailing, it is rare, incredibly tough and inherently desirable.”
No Irish prices for the Defender Octa have been released.