If you had told me in 2019 that I would be attending an event for a new V8-powered Defender early in 2025, I probably would not have believed you. The seemingly never-ending legislation to ban the sale and production of internal combustion engines from the European Union has been relentless, and the idea of a massive V8 petrol-powered off-road performance SUV would have been a pipe dream looking back six years. Still, things have changed a bit, and the Defender Octa exists, thankfully. I headed to the Western Cape to drive the new model recently.
Related: Jaguar launch new brand direction with Type 00
Where is JLR in 2025?
It's 2025, and the automotive landscape is in flux. You see, on one hand, we have the electric mobility revolution knocking on our collective door. At the same time, there seem to be brands backpedalling their all-electric plans on a near monthly basis, extending the life of the internal combustion engine. Looking at the JLR brand, this strategy appears particularly relevant, with one part of the company, namely Jaguar, committing to being all-electric. Say what you want about the decision, but the brand needed to do something different as it was only headed for disaster.
In contrast, Defender, now a brand on its own, introduced a fire-breathing V8 performance SUV that joins a range of diesel- and petrol-powered off-roaders. Perhaps this balance is well-considered and a marketing masterstroke, especially considering that the other brand within the portfolio, Range Rover, will offer both ICE and electric mobility options, diversifying the entire portfolio and hedging bets on multiple options. Whether this is successful remains to be seen, but from my perspective, it's a good move for the brand(s).
Why Octa?
If you're like me, the word "Octa" when attached to a car may conjure up images of a V8 engine, which, in the case of the Defender Octa, isn't a bad guess considering a V8 powers it. Still, no. The brand claims that the name is derived from a diamond—and the octahedral shape that gives them their distinctive appearance and durability.
That engine!
At the heart of the Defender Octa lies a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged cross-plane V8 engine sourced from BMW. This unit delivers 467kW and 750Nm of torque, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The engine is paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. When I first heard the engine, I noticed that it had a unique sound characteristic that differentiated it from the BMW products with the same engine. I believe some work has been done to enhance the sound, but the crossover exhaust manifold that sends an evenly-spaced air pulse to each exhaust pipe remains. Since the motor is a mild-hybrid unit, it has an integrated starter generator, the fire-up sound and, indeed, the full-chat sound cannot quite match that of the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 Defenders, but there's no doubt that the 4.4-litre unit makes the Octa so much faster!
Related: Land Rover Defender 90 V8 (2022) Review
The brand has also modified the sump and various engine components to allow for the added off-road activities with more extreme angles. Various driving modes are available, including Comfort and Dynamic programmes for road driving, the standard array of off-road models from the Terrain Response 2 system, and a new Octa Mode with a unique braking calibration designed for loose gravel surfaces.
Octa upgrades
Many upgrades have been made to the Octa; for instance, it is 28 mm higher and 68 mm wider than a standard 110 Defender, its front and rear axles have been shifted slightly, and its steering has been made quicker. The Octa also features a sophisticated independent air suspension system and hydraulically linked tri-valve dampers. The dampers allow reduced pitch and roll. The system delivers up to 550 mm of wheel articulation, maintains traction on uneven surfaces, and integrates with the Terrain Response 2 system. Brembo supplies the braking system with massive 400 mm front and 365 mm rear discs.
Standard vs Edition One
While the standard and Edition One models are mechanically identical, there are some aesthetic differences. The 'standard' Defender Octa is available in Petra Copper or Charente Grey, while the Edition One comes in Faroe Green or Carpathian Grey exterior hues. Inside, the standard model comes with Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather paired with Kvadrat textile trim in Ebony, the optional Light Cloud and Lunar Ultrafabrics PU, or full Ebony semi-aniline leather. Edition One has a model-specific Khaki and Ebony duo-tone interior with a 3D-knit textile. Both models feature the brand's chopped carbon fibre detailing.
Market Availability and Pricing in South Africa
Land Rover has confirmed that just 50 Defender Octa models will initially be available in South Africa, with pricing starting at R3 499 100 for the standard model and R3 749 100 for the Edition One. At the time of writing, all of these had been spoken for, but there will be another allocation in future, with build slots being made available in July of 2025!
Three tyre options
The Octa is available with three tyre options: two 20-inch tyres, one of which is a 3-ply Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT (top speed of around 160km/h), a more road-friendly all-terrain tyre from BF Goodrich (top speed of around d 210 km/h), and a 22-inch set of Michelin Primacy tyres, which are more road-friendly and raise the top speed to 250km/h.
Off-road stats
The short-wheelbase Defender 90 is one of the most capable vehicles we have ever driven when heading off-road, so with that in mind, have a look at how the Octa's statistics compare in all areas besides its break-over angle, which it loses out on because its wheelbase is some 436mm longer than the 90.
| Defender Octa | Defender 90 | |
| Approach angle | 40.2-degrees | 37.5-degrees |
| Break-over angle | 29.0-degrees | 30.7-degrees |
| Departure angle | 42.8-degrees | 40.0-degrees |
| Ground clearance | 323mm | 290mm |
| Wading depth | 1000mm | 900mm |
| Kerb weight | 2585kg | 2286kg |
Driving Experience
At launch events, I often want more regarding the driving experience offered, which is understandable considering these are often over a day and must include a media presentation and account for travel to and from the event. However, the Octa drive took place over a weekend and extended to a Monday, over which we covered nearly 900km across tar roads, gravel, desert, rocks, and everything in between. Day one was mostly road and gravel roads, and initial impressions were that the off-road-bias Goodyear rubber was noisy on the road, but the brand's rationale became apparent over the rest of the day and the following days. You see, the type of gravel roads, rock climbs and desert driving we embarked upon required a true all-terrain tyre, and the most extreme tyre available within the range turned out to be the best option, with our six-vehicle convoy not suffering a single puncture throughout the three days.
The Octa proved its mettle on fast gravel roads with its stability and ability to soak up massive bumps and remain flat through corners, under braking, and hard acceleration, remaining the highlight of the entire experience. The steering and throttle calibration has been very well managed across the different driving modes, feeling natural and easy to modulate across the different environments, which makes driving the Octa very confidence-inspiring. A close second to its gravel road prowess is how it climbs rocks, with some obstacles thrown our way being almost laughably easy despite my wide-eyed approach to the sheer surfaces. The model also impressed at the dunes in Lamberts Bay, which have notoriously fine sand. The Octa's ability to maintain momentum and the effortless power on tap means that around 60% throttle application is all that is required in deep sand situations, or you'll find yourself digging a hole rather quickly.
A couple of warning lights
Verdict
Throughout the three-day drive, the Octa proved it is one of the most versatile performance cars yet built. It manages to be savagely fast in a straight line, quiet and refined considering the rubber fitted, exceptional at high speed across unpredictable surfaces, and impressive during low-speed off-roading while still offering the practical utility that has made the Defender so popular. This is one of your best bets if you're looking for the ultimate production car off-road toy.
