A matter of character - ten arguments in favour of the OCTA

Some cars are means of transport. Others are statements. And then there is the Defender OCTA. It is as reserved as it is provocative.

Or to put it another way: Who needs 635 hp to take the kids to school? Exactly: us.

Here are ten reasons why the OCTA is the perfect vehicle for real characters:

1. the fine art of too much

In a world full of efficiency and sacrifice, the OCTA celebrates the "fine art of too much". With 635 hp from a twin-turbo V8, it is not just motorised, but a provocation in times of focused efficiency thinking. That you rarely need this power in the city? Even we understand. But knowing that you could utilise it if you wanted to is luxury in the true sense of the word for us.

2. A name like a promise

The name OCTA is derived from the octahedron, the shape of a diamond. On the one hand, this stands for hardness and resistance. You need it to performatively hunt through the desert. On the other hand, the name signals absolute value. Even better: it also fulfils these promises 

3. perfect flight characteristics

All right, we're cheating a little at this point: we're talking about the Defender Dakar D7X-R, the racing version for rally use. But this model is based on the OCTA, after all. A flight mode was developed especially for it. This recognises when the vehicle over a dune and adjusts the torque transmission from the engine to the wheels in such a way that a soft landing is guaranteed.

4. The Dakar genes

Let's stay in the desert: the D7X-R secured a one-two finish in the production-based Stock class at the Dakar Rally on its very first outing. And then followed it up with a triple victory in the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. So when the competition Defender wins the world's toughest rally in the world, the civilian version will also be able to enjoy the weekend trip to Corsica or the bulk shopping trip to the delicatessen with aplomb.

6. 92 per cent gradient? No problem!

Anyone who has experienced what a 92 per cent descent feels like at the JLR Experience Centre in Wülfrath, when all you can see are clouds and branches, knows that the OCTA can take you anywhere. The only requirement: you have to have the courage to take your foot off the brake. A car for people who like to leave their comfort zone – at least as long as the seat cooling is on.

7. Wellness for the soul (and the back)

The "Body and Soul" seats are not just comfortable. They utilise vibroacoustic technology to convert low-frequency music waves directly into impulses into impulses. A song like "Higher Ground" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers becomes an audio-sensitive wellness treatment  – if the six massage programmes are not enough for you.

8. It swallows the light

In colours such as "Petra Copper" or "Faroe Green", combined with a matt protective film, the OCTA almost looks like a stealth bomber. It "swallows the light" instead of reflecting it. This is perfect for characters who want to stand out, but please do so with a pinch of cool understatement.

9. Sovereignty instead of status symbol

Luxury is a "promise of sovereignty". The OCTA is the car for people who don't need affirmation, but want to experience freedom. It is "adventurous in the contemporary sense". What ramp editor-in-chief Michael Köckritz means by this? That the OCTA performs just as well in the mud as it does in front of the opera house.

10. he is a living icon

Since 1948, the Defender has had good genes as a workhorse. The OCTA is the living, modern interpretation of this heritage. It preserves the meaningfulness of the original, but complements it with a performance that puts it with other icons such as the Porsche 911. It is not just not just a new class, it is in a league of its own.

And because we there are many more good reasons to take a closer look at the Defender OCTA better: a lot of good reasons – the ramp editorial team is already working on a coffee-table book about the OCTA. The title is not yet revealed here. Just keep your eyes open after the summer holidays.