This high-performance SUV develops 626 horsepower.
The Defender Octa: a performance beast
There’s no doubt that the capabilities of the latest Land Rover Defender are impressive. The company has finally revealed the production version of the SUV’s new flagship model, the Octa. This rugged off-roader benefits from several performance upgrades, the main one being a twin-turbo V8 producing well over 600 horsepower.
The heart of the Octa is its powertrain. The model, which first leaked earlier this spring, features a 4.0-litre mild-hybrid twin-turbo V8 mated to an eight-speed automatic, producing up to 626bhp and 750Nm of torque. The new engine, already used in several Range Rover models, makes the Octa the most powerful Defender yet, easily outdoing the previous title holder, the Carpathian Edition, with an additional 108bhp and 125Nm of torque.
Improved off-road performance and capabilities
Drivers will really feel the difference when they get behind the wheel of this 4×4. Land Rover claims that the Octa will be able to go from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. Again, it easily beats the Carpathian edition which accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h.
The Octa also comes with a host of off-road upgrades. It gets an extra 2.8cm of ground clearance and its front and rear bumpers have been redesigned to improve approach and departure angles. It has front and rear recovery points, an active exhaust system with four outlets and underbody protection. It also gets 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Advance off-road tyres specially designed for the SUV. Land Rover even claims it can wade through 1m-deep water.
Reworked interior and exterior design
The Defender's design has also been subtly revised. The grille has been revised to improve airflow, it has been fitted with fender flares (the vehicle is 6.9cm wider) and sports Octa diamond badges. Inside, there are new performance seats. The Edition One pack, available only during the model's first year, includes unique green upholstery, carbon trim and special wheels.
Availability and prices
The Defender Octa will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. No on-sale date has been announced yet, but Land Rover dealers are already taking orders for the model. The high-performance SUV will start at £139,000, while the Edition One will start at £149,000.
With its impressive performance and enhanced off-road capabilities, the new Defender Octa sets new standards for luxury SUVs, combining raw power with modern sophistication.
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