When legendary British ruggedness meets the power of a diamond and a dash of space-age imagination, the Defender OCTA is born. Now it's in Slovenia. And no, it's not just another SUV.
Defender has long been more than just a car – it is a statement. About strength, courage and the fact that not even a volcano can stop you on your way to the store. A Defender OCTA is something completely new. This is not an SUV. This is a declaration of independence from all road rules. With 635 horsepower (468 kW) and 750 Nm of torque, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds. In the sedan world, we would say: “That’s too fast.” In the SUV world, we say: “Finally!”
It's humming under the hood 4.4-liter Twin Turbo V8 with mild hybrid (MHEV) technology that adds responsiveness and efficiency through a 48V electrical system. This is an engine that not only moves, but defies physics – and sounds like it's running on pure testosterone.
6D Dynamics – when the vehicle thinks for you
The OCTA is equipped with a completely new air suspension 6D Dynamics, which uses hydraulically linked dampers to automatically adjust the body position to suit the driving conditions. Whether you're flying over gravel, gliding through city asphalt or dreaming of being on the moon – the OCTA doesn't tilt, doesn't shake and never loses contact with the ground.
And yes, we're talking about an SUV that can handle deep-sea wading. 1 meter (3.3 ft), has 33-inch tires – the largest ever on a Defender – and a higher and wider chassis that gives it even more freedom where nature has forgotten to draw paths.
An interior that vibrates with you. Literally.
Forget about massage seats. The Defender OCTA delivers Body and Soul Seat – audio technology that doesn't just play music, you literally feel it. Developed in collaboration with the company SUBPAC and Coventry University, the vibrations are transferred to the body – as if it were part of the speaker. Listening to Bach? You vibrate. Listening to hard techno? The shaking of the warranty. If you are a driver who likes to “feel the beat”, then you are at home.
Add to that a minimalist yet robust interior with quality materials, tactile switches and a screen that isn't just there to look pretty, but actually works quickly and intuitively – which is, honestly, a first for Land Rover.
Exclusive premiere in the center of the Slovenian universe
Where else would we present such an extraordinary machine than at the Noordung Center in Vitanje – a symbol of Slovenian vision, innovation and connection to space. The architecturally futuristic building with roots in Herman Potočnik's geostationary story was the ideal backdrop. Where the gaze rises to the stars, the Defender OCTA descended to earth – with a roar.
The event was not a classic car presentation. It was a performance. Dancing on Silk by Nina Grguraš Lestan – a symbol of adaptability and strength, culinary art Marko Pavčnik, who used local and seasonal ingredients to create dishes that were almost as refined as the new OCTA, and musical accompaniments DJ Tim Urbaneye, which added a modern rhythm to the entire ambiance.
And it's not just about pretty words: visitors can actually tested Defenders in the field – in a quarry, which with its lunar texture added the perfect contrast to the technical perfection of OCTA.
Conclusion: Raw power with a fine soul
Defender OCTA is like James Bond with CrossFit exercises – sleek, yet capable of shattering anything in front of it. It’s brutal and at the same time extremely technological. It’s luxurious, yet prepared for the apocalypse. And that’s its charm: where other SUVs play the role of urban beauties, Defender OCTA says – let’s go over the river, the mountain and maybe even to Mars.
The price? Official agent numbers for Slovenia, they are around 190,000 euros, kar je za »najmočnejši Defender v zgodovini« in celotno doživetje vozila, presenetljivo… logično. Še posebej če upoštevamo, da govorimo o modelu, ki bo najverjetneje limited production, and thus already a collector's item.
OCTA isn't just the next Defender. It's a tribute 75 years of heritage with a challenge for the future – both on the ground and in the air. And if you love survival, style and the sound of bass straight through your spine, then this is – your new companion.
