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Land Rover Defender OCTA
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Don't miss the Land Rover Defender OCTA reveal
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What's new
The Land Rover Defender OCTA takes the 110-based model to a level not previously seen in this family: it uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 626bhp and is designed to combine huge off-road speed with strong on-road composure. This is the flagship Defender, conceived as an expensive high-performance off-road machine rather than a simple trim package. Its character is built as much around the reworked chassis as around the engine output.
OCTA is based on a heavily revised Defender 110 platform and uses a system called 6D Dynamics. The body sits on hydraulic suspension, and the ride height is 28mm higher than that of a standard Defender. In off-road use it can be raised by a further 75mm, allowing it to wade through deeper rivers than any Defender described in the material.
The differences continue inside. The cabin receives bespoke details for this version, upgraded seats and Body and Soul audio technology. The extra ride height is immediately noticeable from the driving position, while the large steering wheel and the specific cabin treatment help mark out the OCTA as the top car in the range.
Specifications and technology
The core of the drivetrain is a BMW-sourced V8 engine. It has 4.4 litres of displacement, twin turbochargers and is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The transmission includes high and low transfer ranges, so the model keeps the serious off-road functions expected of a Defender.
The performance figures are striking for a large off-road SUV. On the more road-biased 22in Michelin all-season tyres, the car has a 155mph top speed and can reach 60mph in 3.8 seconds. These figures are tied to that tyre choice, which is expected to be the preferred setup for most owners.
- Drive modes: Comfort All Terrain, Dynamic and OCTA.
- Main chassis changes: hydraulic suspension, increased ride height, re-engineered brakes, steering, wheels, tyres and suspension.
- Cabin features: bespoke details, upgraded seats and Body and Soul audio technology.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 |
| Power | 626bhp |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed automatic with high and low transfer ranges |
| Acceleration | 0-60mph in 3.8sec |
| Top speed | 155mph |
| Ride height increase over standard Defender | 28mm |
| Additional off-road lift | 75mm |
The chassis work is intended to give the same vehicle two clearly different roles. Off road, the focus is speed, clearance and the ability to deal with deep water; on road, the changes to steering, brakes and suspension are meant to sharpen the responses. At the same time, the OCTA is described as very fast, entertaining and highly refined.
Markets, prices and availability
Price is one of the defining numbers for this version of the Defender. The regular OCTA costs £145,300, while the Edition One costs £15,000 more and brings bespoke paint plus a partly carbon-trimmed interior. The initial batch of Edition One cars is almost sold out.
No exact market launch date or list of countries is given. Delivery timing is not specified either, so the premiere window remains undefined. Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Lamborghini are mentioned as reference points, but not as a formal list of rivals; the point is that none is presented as offering the same spread of abilities.
The OCTA is aimed at buyers prepared to pay a very high price for a Defender that can move rapidly on tarmac and in demanding terrain. Tyre choice matters because most owners are expected to select the more road-focused Michelin all-season setup. On those tyres, the quoted figures are 155mph and 3.8 seconds to 60mph.
Verdict
The Defender OCTA combines sports-car-grade numbers with the hardware base of the Defender 110. Its strongest case is the combination of 626bhp, hydraulic chassis control, added ride height and a price that places it among vehicles bought for very specific, high-cost capability.
Frequently asked questions
When is the premiere or reveal of the Land Rover Defender OCTA?
In the CarsUpcoming calendar, the Land Rover Defender OCTA premiere is listed for 13 January 2026, with unknown precision. The exact premiere window has not been confirmed by the manufacturer.
When will the Land Rover Defender OCTA go on sale in the UK?
The UK on-sale date for the Land Rover Defender OCTA has not been announced. Delivery timing has not been specified either.
How much will the Land Rover Defender OCTA cost?
In the UK, the regular Land Rover Defender OCTA costs £145,300. The Edition One costs £15,000 more.
Should I wait for the Land Rover Defender OCTA or buy the current model now?
There is no stated predecessor for the Defender OCTA, so a direct comparison with a current model is not possible yet. What is known is that OCTA brings a 626bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, 6D Dynamics hydraulic suspension, extra ride height and reworked brakes, steering, wheels, tyres and suspension.
How powerful is the Land Rover Defender OCTA?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 626bhp. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with high and low transfer ranges.
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