‘High-performance SUV ‘All-New Defender OCTA’

The Defender has unveiled the All-New Defender OCTA. The All-New Defender OCTA is the most powerful, versatile, and luxurious 4×4 model, enhancing the performance of the Defender 110 to its peak.

Equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild hybrid V8 engine, the All-New Defender OCTA boasts impressive specs of 635 horsepower and 750Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Defender yet, with a staggering acceleration time of just 4.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Innovative technologies, including 6D dynamics suspension and completely revamped chassis components, elevate dynamic performance to new heights.

The bold and intense exterior of the All-New Defender OCTA reveals its unique personality. Its wide and assertive stance, increased height, and expanded wheel arches give the OCTA an astonishing presence. The redesigned bumpers improve both approach and departure angles, while a robust underbody protection design instills confidence even in rough terrains. Additionally, it boasts one-meter wading capability, making it the best in its class for fording performance among Defender models.

Mark Cameron, representative of the Defender brand, stated that “With the All-New Defender OCTA, we have unlocked the full potential of the Defender. It clearly demonstrates the immense capabilities of the Defender, while showcasing what can be achieved when cutting-edge technology combines with the talents of our engineering team,” adding that “The All-New Defender OCTA, with its powerful V8 engine, advanced 6D dynamics suspension technology, meticulous finishes, and unique details, is not only rare but also incredibly robust and inherently attractive.”

‘All-New Defender OCTA climbing a steep incline’

The model name All-New Defender OCTA is inspired by the octahedron, a form that gives special shape and high rigidity to the hardest and rarest mineral, diamond. This shape emphasizes that it is a model that is strong, robust, rare, and attractive, and it has also inspired the new signature graphics of the flagship Defender.

Each All-New Defender OCTA features a new circular diamond graphic, which includes a gloss black diamond within the machine and sandblasted titanium disk of each signature graphic panel. The All-New Defender OCTA Edition One, exclusively produced in the first year of launch, showcases the epitome of true luxury. The All-New Defender OCTA Edition One features a new dedicated Faroe Green body color, Khaki and Ebony color Ultrfabrix™ PU with 3D knit interior, meticulously finished new chopped carbon fiber details, and expert-selected specifications including 20-inch forged alloy wheels equipped with all-terrain or specially developed advanced all-terrain tires.

The All-New Defender OCTA displays unparalleled performing capabilities. Combining the 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild hybrid V8 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission equipped with high and low range gears, it creates the strongest extreme Defender of all time. When fitted with 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels and all-season tires, it achieves a top safe speed of 250 km/h with dynamic performance.

With a maximum torque of 750Nm (which can rise to 800Nm in Dynamic Launch Mode) and tuned for optimal off-road performance, the All-New Defender OCTA offers explosive acceleration with the ability to reach 0-100km/h in just 4.0 seconds. Particularly, the maximum torque that comes in a wide range from 1,800rpm to 6,000rpm supports the vehicle’s excellent driving performance.

For the first time in Defender history, the All-New Defender OCTA introduces hydraulic interlinked 6D dynamics suspension technology, along with extensive hardware and geometry changes, resulting in dynamic driving performance that surpasses the limits of the existing Defender. Designed to experience top performance without compromise both on and off the road.

With a raised ground clearance of 28mm and a 68mm wider stance, the All-New Defender OCTA offers outstanding ground clearance and stability. In off-road conditions, it maximizes wheel articulation, while reducing roll on-road. It achieves excellent confidence and control on any terrain by featuring newly designed suspension components that include longer and stronger wishbones and unique active dampers. It also applies a 400mm front brake disc with Brembo calipers, and the steering wheel features the fastest steering ratio in Defender history for instant and precise response.

‘All-New Defender OCTA in the wading process’

To develop the All-New Defender OCTA, a customized testing and development program was devised, including over 13,960 additional tests for high-speed off-road durability and high-speed on-road durability, which has propelled the All-New Defender OCTA into a realm of performance and ruggedness never experienced before.

Jamal Hameedi, Director of JLR’s SVO, remarked, “Defender high-performance experts have worked tirelessly over the past three years to create a Defender that delivers the best performance under any terrain, resulting in the All-New Defender OCTA breaking boundaries. Every component of the vehicle has been redesigned to make the All-New Defender OCTA the perfect companion for great adventures that unfold anywhere on Earth.”

The highly advanced hydraulic interlinked continuously variable semi-active damper network virtually eliminates pitching and body roll on-road, while the 6D dynamics system contributes to the unprecedented comfort and sophistication of the All-New Defender OCTA. On rugged terrains, the 6D dynamics enhances wheel articulation, allowing customers to overcome extreme obstacles comfortably and venture further.

Functionality in the All-New Defender OCTA automatically detects the driving surface and optimizes dynamic settings accordingly. All functions are enhanced by improved drive modes, allowing the driver to switch to dynamic mode with a simple press of the transparent signature logo button, adjusting steering, throttle, and suspension settings for the ultimate performance-oriented on-road experience.

‘The All-New Defender OCTA’

Holding the button down switches to the Defender’s first performance-focused off-road driving mode, the \’OCTA Mode\’, specifically developed to instill the utmost control and confidence in the driver. OCTA mode activates the off-road launch mode, allowing optimal acceleration performance even on rough surfaces. It also activates a unique off-road ABS calibration that provides optimal braking performance on harsh surfaces such as sand and gravel by combining the minimum traction control settings (TracDSC or DSC Off).

For more technical off-road driving, the existing fully automatic terrain response system modes remain, providing special calibrations for various surface conditions such as sand, mud, grass, gravel, snow, and rock. It also supports off-road driver assistance features like ClearSight Ground View, which helps drivers navigate rough terrain by providing a transparent view of the roadway through the hood.

Defender’s iconic presence and focus on all-terrain capability have created the bold and new appearance of the All-New Defender OCTA. It is the first mass-produced Defender fitted with 33-inch diameter tires, for which Goodyear specifically developed Advanced All-Terrain tires. To optimize for off-road conditions, the wheel arches have been expanded, along with a distinctive grille design that facilitates airflow under the hood, an active exhaust system with four tailpipes integrated into the new rear bumper, a graphite-finished aluminum alloy front under shield, and phosphor bronze-finished front and rear recovery points, all ensuring robust underbody protection.

The body colors of the All-New Defender OCTA include two premium metallic colors, Petra Copper and Faroe Green, exclusive to the OCTA model, as well as Carpathian Grey and Charente Grey. Each All-New Defender OCTA features distinct gloss Narvik Black color applied to the roof and tailgate. Optional matte protection film enhances individuality, while also protecting the body in rugged environments and achieving a stylish appearance with a distinctive silhouette and refined surface finishes.

Faroe Green color is available exclusively for the All-New Defender OCTA Edition One model, which also includes exquisitely crafted carbon fiber details. Made using recycled materials, this unique finish is applied to the Defender hood script, fender vent surround, hood vent surround, as well as the front seat back and interior center console trim.

Expert-selected elements make the interior of the All-New Defender OCTA even more remarkable. Seats are available in two ultra fabrics PU options that are 30% lighter and boast superior durability over leather. This seat trim, offered in Khaki and Ebony two-tone with smooth Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather and Kvadrat™ textile trim, is standard in the All-New Defender OCTA Edition One.

The front seats of the All-New Defender OCTA feature new performance seats that integrate bolster reinforcements and headrests. The prototype’s commitment to sound is highlighted through the immersive Body & Soul Seat audio technology, which is applied to the Defender for the first time.

The immersive Body & Soul Seat has been developed through partnerships with industry-leading SUBPAC and Coventry University, allowing drivers and front-seat passengers to experience sound and vibrations simultaneously rather than just listening to music. The system also offers six wellness programs designed to help relax passengers or enhance cognitive response during driving.

Pre-orders for the All-New Defender OCTA will commence soon, and the domestic sale price will start from approximately 220 million won. This new high-performance all-terrain off-roader is set to dynamically debut at the ‘2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed’ taking place from July 11 to 14.

‘Front view of the All-New Defender OCTA’

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr