Imagine the following situation: you are a successful individual, you probably own a small island or at least a significant piece of real estate in the center of the metropolis. In your garage stands the latest, technologically advanced Land Rover Defender Octa, a beast with a twin-turbo engine that drives as if physics does not exist. But next to it ... next to it is emptiness. Or, God forbid, an old Defender that is the "wrong" color. Horror, right? Well, Land Rover Classic has a solution to this "existential crisis". Now you can order a classic Defender with a V8 engine, which is matched to your new toy down to the last seam and pigment of paint. So - the Land Rover Classic Defender Octa.
Let's be honest. The old Defender was, at its core, a tractor. It had the aerodynamics of a brick, the comfort of a garden shed and the soundproofing that was missing. But that's why we loved it. It was honest. But Land Rover Classic decided that honesty wasn't enough; it needed power and prestige. Their department Works Bespoke has been taking donor vehicles (model years 2012-2016) and turning them into restomod masterpieces for a few years now. But the latest move by Land Rover Classic Defender Octa is one that will really open up collectors' wallets.
They connected the past and the present. The classical Defender (90 or 110) can now be dressed in the exclusive colors of the Octa model.
Visual Symphony: When Old Meets New
We’re not just talking about a can of paint from the local shop. We’re talking about prestigious shades like Petra Copper, Faroe Green, Sargasso Blue and Narvik Black. For those who want to be completely in tune with the modern era, there’s even a satin finish that mimics the protective film on the new Octa. Each vehicle spends around 300 hours in the hands of master craftsmen, ensuring that every detail is perfect.
“Customers wanted a way to create a complementary garage,” says Dominic Elms, director of Land Rover Classic. And if the customers want it, the customers get it.
The interior is no less impressive. Forget the plastic you used to wash with a hose. We're talking Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather and Ultrafabrics here, which you'd expect to find in a private jet, not an SUV. The seats are Recaro, heated of course, because no one wants to suffer in the name of nostalgia anymore.
Under the Hood: Heart of the Beast
While the exterior is what catches the eye, it's what's under the hood that will put a smile on your face (and maybe scare the neighbors). This isn't your old diesel that needs a calendar to measure acceleration to 100 km/h.
At the heart of this machine is a proven 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. The numbers are impressive for a box on wheels:
- Power: 298 kW (405 hp)
- Torque: 515 Nm (380 lb-ft)
- Acceleration (0-100 km/h): Approximately 5.6 seconds (depending on body version)
- Final speed: Limited to 170 km/h (106 mph) – trust me, in the Defender that's faster than it sounds.
Power is sent through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, which even has a “sport” mode. Yes, you read that right. Sport mode in the Defender. It’s like putting sprinters on a bear. To keep this thing on the road, Land Rover Classic has completely overhauled the chassis. Eibach springs, custom-tuned shock absorbers and anti-roll bars ensure that the car doesn’t roll around corners like a sailboat in a storm. Stopping is handled by massive brakes with 4-piston calipers and discs measuring 335 mm in diameter at the front and 300 mm at the rear.
The price of nostalgia
Here we come to the part where most of us stop reading and start dreaming. The price to join this exclusive club – the Land Rover Classic Defender Octa – starts at £190,000 (around €225,000 or £254,000). That’s considerably more than the cost of a brand new, space-age Defender Octa, which starts at around £158,000.
But does it really matter? The Classic Defender V8 is not a purchase made for reason. It's a purchase made for passion. It's proof that some cars never really die, they just get faster, more expensive and infinitely more desirable.
Conclusion: Irrational but necessary – Land Rover Classic Defender Octa
There are few cars in the world that evoke such emotion as the classic Defender. By adding modern technology, a reliable V8 engine and now an aesthetic that rivals the latest models, Land Rover Classic has created the ultimate toy. Is it expensive? Absurd. Is it necessary? Not at all. But if you have space in your garage and too many zeros in your bank account, this is probably the best way to show the world that you appreciate heritage but like to go fast. This is motoring at its purest, hedonistic form. And thank God for it.
