Land Rover Defender Octa Black breaks cover

If the standard Land Rover Defender wasn’t already brutish enough, and the Octa version didn’t scream "get out of my way" loudly enough for you then there's a surprise for you! Meet the Defender Octa Black — the darkest, most stealthy, and downright wild iteration of the Defender yet. 

Visually, the Octa Black is cloaked head to toe in Narvik Black paint. But Land Rover hasn’t stopped at just the paint — over 30 individual exterior components have been given the black treatment, each finished in either satin or gloss black to create a striking, layered effect. From the imposing grille and satin black tow hooks to the rugged scuff plates, bold exhaust tips, and the signature badges, everything merges into a unified, menacing presence. Even the forged wheels, available in either 20- or 22-inch sizes, wear the black look. For those who want to keep this flawless black finish pristine, there’s also an optional matte protective film — perfect for shielding the paint from chips and scratches while maintaining that stealthy vibe.

Step inside the Octa Black and the dark theme continues. The cabin gets ebony semi-aniline leather and Kvadrat fabric inserts. Not to forget, the spectacular satin-black carbon-fibre trim is retained. The seats are a highlight, too — they feature something called a “Body & Soul” function that literally brings the music to life by vibrating in sync with your tunes, courtesy of a 700-watt, 15-speaker Meridian surround sound system. 

Technologically, the Octa Black benefits from the latest updates as it joins the 2026 Defender lineup. A larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen takes centre stage inside, replacing the previous 10.0-inch unit and offering sharper graphics, quicker response, and an overall more intuitive user experience. On the outside, it has new LED signature headlights and flush-fit smoked tail lights.

Under the bonnet, the Octa Black is powered by the same ferocious 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine sourced from BMW that powers the standard Octa. This powertrain churns out an impressive 626 bhp and a monstrous 750 Nm of torque — enough to rocket the 2.5-plus tonne SUV from a standstill to 100kmph in just 3.8 seconds. That’s blisteringly fast for something of this size and weight. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kmph.

The Octa Black boasts Land Rover’s ingenious 6D Dynamics system, featuring hydraulically linked dampers and height-adjustable air springs. This setup actively controls body pitch and roll without the need for traditional anti-roll bars, ensuring you can eke out all the horses from that V8, no matter what the terrain.