Its name is derived from the shape of the toughest and most desirable mineral on earth – a diamond – and yes, it is without a doubt the jewel in the Defender crown. The Octa is also the true successor to the iconic BMW-powered 2.8i in the Defender legacy… so we arranged a meeting of archetype and descendant at Land Rover specialists Pon Steyn 4×4 in Somerset West.
To emphasise the origin of its name, as well as its status as the toughest, most durable in the Land Rover Defender range, a new signature graphic (a gloss black diamond within a machined and sandblasted titanium disc on each Signature Graphic panel) denotes the Octa as the flagship Defender.
This most extreme and most powerful model in the new legacy brand’s lineup has bolder styling with a widened stance and extended wheel arches, standing 28 mm higher and 68 mm wider than its lesser siblings. A hydraulically interlinked 6D Dynamics Suspension (as used on the Range Rover Sport SV) allows for 323 mm of ground clearance, 550 mm of wheel articulation and one metre wading capacity.
With front and rear axles moved forward 4 mm and 3 mm respectively to allow for 33″ tyres and exclusive 20″ or 22″ wheels, the Octa stands 28 mm taller and 68 mm wider than a standard Defender. Our Charente Grey example with black roof (and optional matte finish film for R78,300 extra) cut an impressive figure parked in front of the reception building of Land Rover specialists Pon Steyn 4×4 in Somerset West.
The Octa, with its broad stance, privacy glass, uprated 400 mm front brake discs (with yellow callipers) and 365 mm rear brake discs supplied by Brembo and redesigned bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, drew a lot of interest from onlookers – as it clearly is the ultimate derivative in the range.
TRUE SUCCESSOR TO THE 2.8I
Developed as the basis for the D7X-R, Defender’s Dakar and FIA World Rally Raid Championship contestant for 2026, the Land Rover engineers sourced the BMW-derived 4.4-litre Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine (also used in some Range Rover models) to ensure the Dakar stock category challenger will be powerful enough.
As such, the Octa is the true successor to the 1996 Land Rover Defender 2.8i, bestowed with the 2.8-litre BMW M52 inline-six-cylinder petrol engine from Munich…and it was for this reason we took the new incumbent to Pon Steyn 4×4, as probably more than 60% of the surviving 2.8i’s have found their way there over the years.
According to General Manager Arno Steyn, who took over the business from his dad in 2022, a vast market exists for refurbished examples of the iconic BMW-powered models. “Besides local collectors, these models are immensely sought after in the United States, as the original Defender was available there only from 1994 to 1997.
“Due to the good performance of the BMW-powered Landys, many owners of NAS (North American Specification) Defenders convert their vehicles to 2.8i-spec, while others will pay exorbitant prices to purchase refurbished South African-built 2.8i models,” he said.
“Over the years, we have refurbished a large number of these iconic Defenders, and we still have many of the remaining examples awaiting renovation.” He estimates that about half of the original 1,395 built (in 90 and 110 form) are still in existence.
A REAL GEM
Even more than the 2.8i models nearly thirty years ago, the new Octa brings unheard of performance to the Defender range. Compared to the 142 kW and 280 Nm of torque delivered by the inline-six, 24-valve engine in the 2.8i, the V8 engine in the Octa triple this output, providing a humungous 468 kW and 750 Nm of torque (up to 800 Nm with Dynamic Launch Mode selected).
Back then, the 2.8i sprinted from zero to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, making it the fastest production Defender ever built. The same goes for the Octa, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in neck-snapping 4.0 seconds and reaching up to 250 km/h (when fitted with 22″ lightweight alloy wheels and all-season tyres).
Even today, the 2.8i, mated with a five-speed manual gearbox, evokes some disbelief at how smooth the inline-six still performs. That said, the V8 in the Octa is seriously impressive, with exceptional driveability due to the enormous amounts of torque available.
The virtually seamless eight-speed auto transmission with well-chosen ratios, the bespoke hydraulically interlinked 6D Dynamics suspension, the revised suspension components, and the fastest steering system on a Defender yet, ensure high-speed stability, impeccable turn-in characteristics (for such a large vehicle), balanced handling and flowing ride quality, even over bad ruts.
The desired settings can be accessed with one press of the transparent signature logo button on the steering wheel, and we engaged Octa Mode (the first dedicated Defender off-road driving mode with a performance focus) just to test its acceleration on a loose surface.
With a suite of Terrain Response modes, calibrated for Sand, Mud and Ruts, Grass Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl, and the unique off-road ABS calibration supplied by Octa mode, combined with the lowest traction control settings (TracDSC or DSC off), we did not even come close to testing its full capabilities.
Even so, it was clear the Octa possesses the same type of overland capabilities as a Ranger Raptor, and perhaps even more…in sumptuous comfort (with bolstered and supportive performance seats, high-quality detailing and even six wellness programmes in the cabin), accompanied by the sonorous sound symphony of that BMW-developed V8, akin to that of a supercar.
LAST WORD
It is clear that the new Defender Octa (available from R3,663,600, our test unit came with extras to the value of R182,600) benefited hugely from a bespoke testing and development programme with more than 13,960 additional tests, and testing continues with the D7X-R.
In short, this gem of a vehicle is the best Defender ever, and as such, more than worthy as the direct descendant of the iconic 2.8i.
*Our thanks to Arno Steyn from Pon Steyn 4×4 for the use of his exemplary Defender 110 2.8i for our photoshoot with the Defender Octa.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT
