Land Rover Defender OCTA to be seen - made for collectors
During Jaguar's transition to a pure electric label, Land Rover's combustion engines are retained. And what a lineup! The V8 working in the limited edition Defender OCTA fits perfectly with the Goodwood Festival of Speed. ntv.de was there.
Have you ever been to the Goodwood Festival of Speed? If you're an automobile fan, it's worth a visit. Here, cars that the average person can't usually see or only very rarely can be found. In the corner, there are a dozen Pagani cars, the "Storm" from Bugatti (Tourbillon) waits ten minutes longer for spectators, and many Ferrari collector models can also be found. In addition, there are the entire Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom for VIP shuttle services.
If you're not a VIP guest but have still managed to come by and love cars, finding the right ride isn't always easy. Not everyone wants to travel in a Lamborghini Huracan or with a pre-war Bugatti. Land Rover might have something for you if the bank balance allows. A drivable chassis that's perfect for Goodwood, as it's not always sunny here. Heavy rain has often softened the ground, so visitors with large off-roaders have better chances.
Off-roaders? They're the specialty of the traditional British manufacturer! And the latest product is almost tailor-made for a clientele that's used to this kind of driving. With a Defender, you'd already be well-dressed for Goodwood, but the affordable OCTA is certainly not just any Defender.
Under the hood lies the BMW-borrowed 4.4-liter eight-cylinder, which also serves in the Range Rover. Here, however, it comes with a satisfying 635 PS. The biturbo engine also delivers 800 Newton-meters of torque. Enough punch to bring this Defender to 100 km/h in just 4 seconds.
The Defender OCTA is fast and off-road capable at the same time, according to Land Rover. Optionally, there are 20-inch wheels - then, special off-road tires can be mounted (for maximum grip on rough terrain). Or 22-inch wheels in combination with all-weather tires, which are approved up to 250 km/h - the strongest Defender indeed.
OCTA is one of the unconventional Defender models
As OCTA, it makes a statement with its 2.8 cm higher ride height and 6.8 cm wider track. Additionally, there are numerous details to distinguish the special model from its conventional model siblings. For example, a visually modified radiator grille, forged wheels, and the distinctive four-outlet exhaust system with bronze-colored exhaust tips. Inside, there are special materials and seat covers. High-tech under the metal sheet should make playful nature lovers happy and helpful during driving.
The marketing department was also busy with the term-finding: 6D chassis sounds good, doesn't it? Behind it lies a hydraulic connection of all dampers, and the hydraulic system is pressurized to counteract pitch and roll movements actively.
Land Rover didn't hesitate to introduce the Defender OCTA on the sidelines of the Goodwood festivities. However, I can't drive it yet - only sitting next to it is allowed. But the demo ride is quite impressive. However, not necessarily because the Defender OCTA can do much more off-road than the previous eight-cylinder Defender (just as beautiful and soundly powerful), but rather because the test driver lets the Brits run. And because there's a cleverly prepared track in the woods around Goodwood with a nice bumpy section.
Anxiety about speed was not an issue for my driver. First, he casually crawls up the artificially constructed rocks - yes, the OCTA is proven off-road capable. And then, under a change in driving program (now the Power-Defender behaves appropriately), speed is picked up. With 160 things over the muddy path, this Land Rover probably weighs less than its cargo. Well, I'm strapped in. But it puts a knot in your stomach when you just feel like lifting a meter off the ground while rushing over the ground wave. Puh.
But okay, for €185,300, the inclined buyer can be offered something. And that's still a few thousand less than what's needed for a Mercedes-AMG G 63. In return, there are also a few extra horses under the hood. No, it's not about these performance spheres anymore. Instead, it's about the Defender OCTA being a limited edition model, produced in only 500 units, which can certainly create a stir in collector circles. Every bet that next year we'll see him on the visitor parking lots of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Because he's in the best company among the Emeya, Urus, and Ghost of the roaming collector scene.
If you're looking for a Land Rover model that stands out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Defender OCTA might be your choice. Powered by a BMW-borrowed 4.4-liter eight-cylinder engine, this unconventional Defender model offers a balanced combination of speed and off-road capability. With its distinctive features and limited production run, the Defender OCTA could become a sought-after collector's item among automobile enthusiasts.
