Land Rover is all set to unleash the most capable version of the Defender, Defender Octa. The Land Rover Defender is known for being one of the world's most reliable SUVs for off-roading. Land Rover wants to take it up a notch with the Octa Variant. This will launch on July 3, but prospective buyers can attend the preview events that will let them reserve and configure their Defender Octa. It comes with The V8 Twin Turbo mild-hybrid petrol.
Land Rover claims that Defender Octa engineers have conducted more than 13,960 additional tests in addition to the ones the standard Defender undergoes. These have spanned from high-performance handling and durability at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife to wet asphalt at Ladoux in France, ice in Sweden, rally raid stages at Lastours in France, sand deserts in Dubai, and Moab rock crawls in Utah, USA. They also claim it has taken over every extreme trail at JLR's Eastnor test facility in the UK.
Land Rover has announced it will hold seven events worldwide, including three in Europe and one each in the USA, Japan, and Dubai. Buyers can visit these events to get their Defender Octa configured and booked.
The car's engine will most likely be the 4.4-litre BMW-sourced V8 that is currently found in Range Rover models like the Sports SV. It is capable of producing 635hp of power and 800 Nm of torque.
The Defender Octa will use the 6D Dynamics air suspension in the Range Rover SV. This suspension system has an interlinked hydraulic damper set-up that intends to minimize pitch and roll whether accelerating, braking or cornering on the tarmac. They claim this suspension will also maximize wheel articulation and independent wheel travel when the SUV is off-road.
One of the company's images featured Brembo brakes, which might indicate they are also preparing the SUV for the track.
This is the first SUV from the British manufacturer to bear the Octa badge, which will be used for all the highest Defender models. The name is inspired by the octahedron shape of a diamond, which is known for being the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth. It intends to represent the car's durability and price.
There is no information currently on whether the Defender Octa will make its way to the Indian shores. For now, you can buy the Defender in the 90,110 and 130 avatars. These have an ex-showroom price range of Rs 97 lakh to 2.3 Crores.
Would you pick a Defender Octa instead of the Mercedes G-wagon?
