Jaguar Land Rover has a bonkers new Defender on the horizon, called the Defender OCTA. Some teaser images and specs have been handed out to build up excitement.
Now simply called the Defender (no longer Land Drover Defender), the Defender OCTA will come in as the most powerful iteration yet. The company confirms a twin-turbo V8, likely the 4.4-litre BMW unit as seen in other JLR products, paired with mild-hybrid technology.
Output figures haven’t been confirmed just yet but in the top-spec Range Rover Sport P615, this engine belts out 452kW and 750Nm. And it propels the Sport from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. We’d anticipate similar figures for the Defender.
Aside from the monster engine, the Defender OCTA will come with 6D Dynamics hydraulically-linked suspension, which is able to manage pitch and roll – a first for the Defender. Land Rover says this suspension package is able 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” conditions.
Judging by the supplied teaser images, it will also come with big multi-piston Brembo brakes, hardcore off-road tyres, and potentially a unique sport button on the steering wheel (if that’s what that illuminated logo is). In fact, speaking about that new logo, Mark Cameron, Defender managing director, said:
“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.”
The new model is being torture tested in various harsh conditions around the world, including on snow and ice in Sweden, the desert in Dubai, the Nurburgring in Germany, and Moab off-road tracks in the USA.
A full reveal is planned for later this year but interested customers can contact their dealer now to get on the list.
