Land Rover Defender Octa SUV globally unveiled

The Land Rover Defender Octa will make its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Land Rover has globally unveiled the new 'Octa' variant of its Defender SUV. The new Land Rover Defender Octa is the model's most powerful variant to date. It also features a bunch of updates, making it even more off-road capable than the standard variants.

The new Octa variant is based on the 5-door 'Defender 110'. It comes with specially developed 33-inch Goodyear Advance all-terrain tyres housed under extended wheel arches. The Octa variant is 27.94 mm higher than the standard Defender and also features active dampers, 6D Dynamic chassis to eliminate body pitch and roll, and the fastest steering ratio for any Defender to date. The SUV also gets massive 15.7-inch front brakes with 6-piston calipers from Brembo.

The Defender Octa also gets revised front and rear bumpers, improving its approach and departure angles, a new front grille design, quad exhaust, underbody protection, and front and rear recovery points. Every Octa comes with a diamond-circled graphic with a contrasting Narvik Black roof and tailgate. During Defender Octa's first year of production, a special trim will be available with carbon fibre hood lettering, air intake surrounds, front seat backs, and the centre console.

Inside, Land Rover has fitted the Defender Octa with performance seats with integrated headrests, Body & Soul Seat audio technology, and dual seat upholstery options.

Coming to the most important update, the Land Rover Defender Octa is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid V8 engine. It produces 626 BHP and up to 800 Nm and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover claims the Defender Octa can sprint from 0-60 mph (0-98 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph (249.4 km/h).

The Land Rover Defender Octa will make its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. The SUV will be offered at a starting price of $152,000.