We live in an era of ridiculously overpowered off-road vehicles (not that we’re complaining). The Ford F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor. The Ram 1500 TRX. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (RIP).
Now, Land Rover is tossing its hat into the ring with the fastest and most powerful Defender ever: the Defender Octa.
So, how fast and powerful are we talking? Is it a gas-powered SUV or an EV? When can we buy one? And what’s going on with the branding these days, anyway?
It’s a lot to take in. Here’s everything you need to know about the Defender Octa.
It has a V8
Jaguar Land Rover had one of the most ambitious electrification plans in the auto industry, but it rolled back those plans extensively earlier this year due to continued consumer demand for plug-in hybrids. As such, the Defender Octa will not be the first electric Defender, though it does have some hybrid technology.
The powerplant under the bonnet of the forthcoming 4×4 is a V8 engine with two turbochargers along with mild hybrid technology for additional assistance to the engine. As for the exact engine used, along with horsepower, torque and performance specs, well, those all remain a mystery as Land Rover hasn’t disclosed any of that yet. But we do know it’s going to be the most powerful Defender ever, which means it will put out more than the current Defender 110 V8‘s 518 horses.