Land Rover Defender Octa Launched In India At ₹2.59 Crore

Land Rover has launched the Defender Octa in India at ₹2.59 crore*, making it the most expensive version of the Defender. Land Rover has also launched the Edition One version of the Octa at ₹2.79 crore*. The Octa is based on the 110 body style of the Defender, meaning it is only available as a 5-seater version. 

Cosmetically, the Octa gets new bumpers, which Land Rover claims have improved the approach and departure angles. It also has a larger grille, which Land Rover claims improves the cooling inside the engine bay. The Octa also gets flared wheel arches, quad exhaust pipes and an aluminium skid plate in the front bumper. The Octa can also be identified by its special logo, a diamond inside a circular frame, mounted on the C-pillar. 

Land Rover has also launched the Edition One of the Octa which gets 20-inch alloys, while the standard version gets 22-inch ones. The Faroe Green colour is exclusive to the Edition One version, and it gets a chopped carbon-fibre finish for the trims – ‘Defender’ lettering and air intakes on the bonnet as well as on the centre console and front seatbacks. Inside, it gets a Black and Green interior, while the standard one gets a Brown and Black theme. 

Inside, the Defender Octa gets new performance seats with integrated headrests and better side bolstering. The seats also get a new Body and Soul audio technology, which Land Rover claims allows the front passenger to feel the music in the seats. Speaking of the seats, the Octa gets a durable upholstery developed by Ultrafabrics, which is claimed to be 30 per cent lighter than traditional leather. 

Powering the Defender Octa is a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with mild-hybrid assist. Combined, the powertrain produces 626 bhp and 750 Nm, with power being sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox with high- and low-range gears. Land Rover claims the peak torque of the Defender Octa can be increased to 800 Nm with the Dynamic Launch Mode. 0-100 kmph is achieved in four seconds (claimed). 

Along with more power, the Octa also has improved dynamics with a new hydraulically interlinked suspension system, allowing for good on-road and off-road manners. The ride height sees an increase of 28 mm, while the stance has been widened by 68 mm. This allows the Octa to have a water wading depth of 1 metre, 100 mm more than the standard Defender 110. There are multiple drive modes too – Comfort, Dynamic and Octa. It still gets Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which includes Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl. 

The Defender Octa’s direct rivals include the Mercedes-AMG G63, which is priced at ₹3.64 crore (ex-showroom, India) and produces 577 bhp and 850 Nm. 

* all prices ex-showroom, India