Land Rover took the Defender’s reputation for go anywhere adventure and injected it with serious muscle. The Octa’s heart is a twin turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine (borrowed and tuned from BMW), pushing out a wild 467 kilowatts and a massive 750 newton meters of torque. That means the Octa rockets from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.8 seconds, an absurd figure for an SUV weighing more than 2,650 kilograms. It all runs through an eight speed automatic transmission and advanced four wheel drive, so the power actually hits the ground.

But it’s not just straight line speed. The Defender Octa features Land Rover’s 6D Dynamic suspension system, which uses hydraulically linked dampers and air springs to eliminate traditional anti roll bars. The result is surprising agility both on winding roads and off road, with wheels able to move independently for maximum grip and comfort. The massive six piston Brembo brakes with 400 millimeter rotors up front provide the stopping power needed for such a heavyweight, while switchable drive modes, including Octa mode, give drivers the confidence to send it over dunes or hustle down a canyon road.

The Octa doesn’t just talk tough, it’s built to perform in the harshest environments. With 323 millimeters of ground clearance, a wading depth of nearly one meter, and approach and departure angles both over 40 degrees, the Octa feels at home crawling over rocks or blasting across sand. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,720 kilograms, making it a real workhorse for camping trips or hauling gear. Despite all this brawn, the Octa still pampers with a plush five seat cabin, clever drive modes, and tech to make every drive easier, from hill descent control to multiple terrain responses.

Drivers will notice the little details too. Swapping the standard 22 inch wheels for the 20 inch option unlocks true all terrain tires, turning the Octa into a desert beast. Hold the dedicated Octa mode button, and the suspension stiffens, ride height adjusts, and the Defender becomes sharper for high speed fun or ultimate comfort.

While the price starts around 590,000 dirhams and climbs to over 625,000 dirhams for the First Edition, the value is clear compared to its German rivals. You get state of the art suspension, an iconic badge, and a machine that is just as at home in the city as it is in the wild.