LAND ROVER

Defender OCTA: a competitor worthy of the Mercedes-AMG G63...

Whether for image reasons or true commercial interest, everything indicates that there is no shortage of customers queuing up to purchase robust jeeps, equipped with efficient 4×4 systems and mechanics with so many horsepower that they are capable of putting many sports cars to shame. Today, the standard-bearer is the Mercedes-AMG G63, equipped with one of the best 4×4 systems on the market – or had this German jeep not appeared as a military vehicle – and a 4.0 V8 biturbo engine with 585 hp, but it is promised to soon a version worthy of the Land Rover Defender.

Nicknamed OCTA, this Defender will keep intact the characteristics that led this model to be among the most renowned on the market. And not even the fact that it has now replaced the previous rigid axles at the front and rear (better in TT, but less good on asphalt), for independent suspensions associated with a more evolved chassis, has hindered its ability to overcome more complex obstacles.

No major changes are expected in terms of the transmission, which has greater electronic support to overcome the worst conditions, and even in terms of the engine. The new unit that serves the Defender OCTA is a V8 similar to the one that previously equipped the Defender 110 P525, the five-door version of the British jeep, which features a 5.0 V8 blown by a volumetric turbocharger, which provides 525 hp. The OCTA's engine has the same number of cylinders (8 in V) but is of BMW origin, with the manufacturer not yet revealing details regarding the displacement. We estimate that it is the German 4.4 V8, which can now be found in the new Range Rover P615, in this case with 615 hp and 750 Nm, capable of taking this SUV — larger and heavier than the Defender — up to 261 km/h and from 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

It is also known that the 4.4 V8 will produce 635 hp and will be mild hybrid, and should maintain the mild hybrid system used by the Range Rover P615. This electrified solution ensures a reduction in consumption and emissions, somewhat similar to what happens in the Range P615, which announces 11.7 l/100 km and 266 g of CO2/km, a value much lower than that announced by the current Defender P525 ( 14.4 l/100 km and 324 g of CO2) and the AMG G63 itself (16.0 l/100 km and 363 g of CO2).

The new Defender OCTA is expected to arrive in 2024 and for prices around 200 thousand euros, depending on the markets. The 635 hp should be able to propel the most powerful Defender to over 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, an impressive figure for a jeep weighing more than 2.5 tons.

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