Land Rover engineers have spent more than three years testing the most extreme Defender ever
April 25, 2024 at 6:29 am
- The new Land Rover Defender is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from BMW with 626 hp.
- Land Rover has also equipped the off-roader with its advanced 6D Dynamics suspension system.
- Pricing details have not yet been announced.
Land Rover will unveil the flagship Defender OCTA to the public on July 3rd and has released a series of new teasers of the powerful off-roader. In addition, potential buyers were invited to events around the world to test the new Defender.
By default, the Defender is also one of the most capable and luxurious off-roaders on the market, but the new OCTA promises to take things to a new level. Those interested in placing an order can register to attend one of seven Defender Elements events in the UK, Germany, Italy, the US, Dubai and Japan, where they will receive early access. Customers also have the opportunity to select and order their own OCTA during these events.
Read: Land Rover Defender OCTA is a twin-turbo V8 flagship
The testing program for the Defender OCTA was comprehensive. The British company says its engineers have conducted more than 13,960 additional tests in addition to the standard Defender testing program, including handling and durability tests at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, wet asphalt tests in Ladoux, France, ice driving in Sweden and rally raid stages in France, sandy deserts in Dubai and rock crawling in Utah.
At the heart of the Defender OCTA will be a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with mild hybrid technology. This engine produces 626 hp and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft), which gives it a significant advantage over the Defender V8 with its 575 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft).
Land Rover’s advanced 6D Dynamics suspension system will also be standard. This setup foregoes traditional anti-roll bars and features air springs with hydraulically linked dampers that feature semi-active electro-hydraulic flow valves. The result is improved on-road handling as well as better bike path and off-road agility.
As part of the Defender OCTA teaser campaign, a new video has been released that captures some of the testing carried out over the last three years. In the clip we see the off-roader tackle all sorts of difficult terrain and also have the first opportunity to hear the V8 in action.
