Land Rover has updated the V8 OCTA…by making it slower and less powerful

Land Rover has updated its Defender 4x4 with a new trim, a new bodykit, some new paint options… and cut a whopping 93bhp out of its all-singing, all-conquering V8 OCTA. Wait, what now?

Buried at the bottom of an information dump focusing on the ‘Vertex’ – we’ll get back to that shortly – is the news that the 4.4-litre BMW V8 has been “updated”… by slashing its previous output down from 626bhp to 533bhp.

Funny ‘update’, that. Especially as it’s now slower to 60mph… by four tenths (was 3.8s, is now 4.2s). Still, torque remains the same – 553lb ft – it's now available in a delightful green (pictured above), and we’re told this ‘updated’ V8 “features a more characterful and deeper exhaust noise to give a truer V8 sound”. Protesting, much?

Anyway, there’s also the option of a 380bhp petrol straight-six (the ‘P380’) mild hybrid too, said to feature “new technologies to improve real-world fuel economy”. This P380 is available on all Defender variants – from the 90 right up to the monster 130 – including that aforementioned new ‘Vertex’ spec.

This version of the Defender (below) features extended new front and rear bumpers, a bigger grille, some new fog lamps, gloss black detailing, yellow calipers, lower body cladding, 22s and a choice of body colours that include white, black, green, two greys and a white matt wrap.

Elsewhere in this ‘update’, there’s an ‘Extended Exterior Pack’ that comes with new bumpers and wheels, too, the ability to paint your Defender ‘Namib orange’, a six-seat option for the 110 said to improve getting into the back row, loads of accessories and – yay! – more artificial intelligence inside. Can’t get enough of that, really.

Prices kick off from £58,655 for the lowliest 90 S, rising to £157,245 for the range-topping V8 OCTA Black. Now with less power than before.