The Defender Octa will be the toughest, most capable, and most luxurious model in JLR’s 4×4 family lineup. If you are confused as to why we are not calling it the Land Defender Defender Octa, Defender is now a brand under JLR’s house of brand and the Defender Octa is what the brand would like to refer to as the most powerful creation the registration of interest (ROI) is now open for Malaysia.
In case you are wondering, the Octa’s name is derived from the octahedral shape of the toughest and most desirable mineral on earth – a diamond. This shape gives the diamond its distinctive appearance and durability. If you are excited about this version of the Defender, it is set for its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
It will be the most extreme and the most powerful Defender ever. As the most extreme and the most powerful Defender ever, it is powered by a 4.4-litre Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine with an output of 635 hp and up to 750 Nm (800 Nm when Dynamic Launch Mode is activated). These figures match those of the Range Rover Sport SV. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a twin-speed transfer box, power is sent to all four wheels. This enables the car to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and onward to the top speed of 248 km/h when fitted with 22-inch lightweight rims and all-season tires.
New for the Defender Octa are the heavily revised chassis components with innovative technologies, including 6D Dynamics suspension. It brings hardware and geometry changes, lifting the body by 28 mm and widening its stance by 68 mm. There are also longer and tougher double wishbones. Unique to the Octa is the continuously variable active dampers with separate accumulators. It also features uprated 400 mm front brake discs with Brembo calipers and the fastest steering ratio of any Defender to date, for immediate and precise response.
The Defender Octa has a distinct exterior with newly redesigned bumpers, a unique grille design for greater airflow below the bonnet, a new rear bumper with quad-tailpipe active exhaust, an aluminum alloy front under shield with a graphite finish, and an exposed Phosphor Bronze-finished front and rear recovery points.
Defender is expanding its driving mode options by introducing “Octa,” a performance-oriented off-road mode. Designed to boost driver confidence and control on challenging terrain, Octa joins the existing Comfort and Dynamic selections. The Defender Octa isn’t just about brute power; it’s a master of off-road adaptation. The car is also equipped with a suite of familiar Terrain Response modes which are Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass, Gravel, Snow, and Rock Crawl. Also here is ClearSight Ground View which aids visibility just ahead of the vehicle by simulating a transparent bonnet.
It is not a Defender without talking about luxurious traits too. Defender Octa prioritizes driver and passenger comfort and engagement with the front row boasting all-new performance seats with integrated headrests and more supportive bolsters specifically designed to enhance the driving experience.
It also incorporates Body and Soul Seat audio technology, earlier featured on the Range Rover Sport SV. Interior upholstery for the Defender Octa features a choice of two Ultrafabrics PU options, which are 30% lighter than traditional leather, and are standard specifications on the Defender Octa Edition One. It’s also available in semi-aniline leather in a new Burnt Sienna colour scheme, or Ebony. Also available is the Ultrafabrics PU upholstery for the ‘regular’ Defender Octa.
Customers can now register their interest or find more information on the New Defender OCTA at Land Rover Malaysia’s official website.
GALLERY
