► Land Rover confirms new Defender OCTA model
► ‘Toughest, most capable and luxurious’ one yet
► Twin-turbo V8 spied at the Nurburgring track
Land Rover is turning the wick up on its Defender 4×4, confirming that a new OCTA model is on the way soon – and now our spies have spotted the go-faster, maximum Defender high-speed testing at the Nurburgring circuit.
The brand describes the OCTA as the ‘toughest, most capable and luxurious’ Defender yet, and it’ll be officially revealed later in 2024.
It’s positioned as Land Rover’s answer to the Mercedes-AMG G63: a sort of go-anywhere 4×4 that can win at the traffic light grand prix as well as the hop across the local gymkhana car park when it gets muddy.
Land Rover Defender OCTA: the latest spy photos
Our man with the long-lens camera witnessed the fast 4×4 testing at the Nordschleife circuit on an industry test day, suggesting that Land Rover is deadly serious about giving its range-topping Defender performance as well as pluck.
Note the wider track visible in these spyshots. Powering the new Defender OCTA will be a twin-turbo V8 with mild hybrid assistance.
No other performance specs are known yet, but the engine will likely be a BMW-derived engine and is expected to be the same one the 626bhp Range Rover Sport SV uses – a healthy 108bhp more than the Defender V8.
And, speaking of the Range Rover Sport SV, Land Rover says the new OCTA will use the same 6D Dynamics suspension set-up as it.
The 6D Dynamics system does away with traditional anti-roll bars and, instead, actively controls roll via a hydraulic circuit. Potent Brembo brakes will be equipped, too.
Teaser images show off knobbly off-road tyres and bespoke wheel designs, as well as what looks to be an OCTA sport button attached to the steering wheel for accessing full power and performance in just one press.
The OCTA badge will, according to Land Rover, adorn ‘all future flagship Defender models,’ as the brand looks to further separate the Defender name in its own right.
We’ll find out more when the car is revealed later in 2024. Word is, the car should be unveiled at an event planned for 11 July.