The Dark Hero: Meet the New Defender OCTA Black

Land Rover’s performance flagship, the Defender OCTA, now boasts a bold new interpretation: the Defender OCTA Black. This latest iteration elevates the already formidable off-road and on-road capabilities of the Defender to new heights with an assertive, all-black aesthetic that redefines tough luxury.

In this special edition, over 30 individual exterior components have been finished in black to create an unmissable presence. The Defender OCTA Black is painted in Narvik Black – the purest and deepest hue in the Defender colour palette. A gloss finish comes as standard, but for those seeking a stealthier appearance, an optional Matte Protective Film is available.

The visual enhancements extend to every corner of the vehicle. The front undershield and rear scuff plates are rendered in Satin Black Powder Coat, complemented by exposed Satin Black recovery eyes. A Gloss Black tow eye cover at the front, paired with Gloss Black quad exhaust tips at the rear, delivers an unmistakable contrast. Even the Land Rover oval on the grille has been reimagined, featuring darkened silver script to match the vehicle’s shadowy persona.

Beneath the surface, underbody components including the exhaust silencer and centre box also receive either Gloss or Satin Black treatment. An electrically deployable towbar is available as an option, subject to market availability.

Wheel choices are equally dramatic, ranging from 20-inch forged wheels to 22-inch Gloss Black designs, both featuring black centre caps and Shadow Atlas Defender script. Gloss Black brake calipers, marked with Sentient Silver script, complete the commanding profile.

The sense of rugged elegance continues into the cabin. For the first time in the Defender range, Ebony Semi-Aniline Leather with Kvadrat™ textile has been introduced, lending a soft yet robust finish to the performance seats. Unique perforation patterns, enhanced backrest stitching, and Carpathian Grey detailing on seat backs and armrest hinges exemplify the model’s premium craftsmanship.

Interior finishes continue the theme with a Satin Black Powder Coat treatment applied to the dashboard’s Cross Car Beam. Clients may also specify Chopped Carbon Fibre details – a sophisticated flourish that reflects the model’s performance DNA.

Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, commented:
“There’s no denying the presence and purpose of Defender OCTA: it’s the tallest and widest Defender, enabling it to tackle even more extreme terrain.
The introduction of Defender OCTA Black takes things up a notch. We know our clients love giving their Defenders all-black finishes, so our designers have applied this principle to every possible surface – inside and out – to create the ultimate tough luxury Defender OCTA.”

Beneath the striking façade lies serious performance. Powered by a 635PS 4.4-litre Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine, the Defender OCTA Black is equipped with the cutting-edge 6D Dynamics suspension system and a bespoke OCTA Mode for high-performance off-road driving.

Inside, the innovation continues with Body and Soul Seats (BASS) – a unique feature developed in collaboration with SUBPAC™. These front-row seats enable occupants to physically feel the music from the 700W Meridian™ Surround Sound System, thanks to vibro-acoustic technology powered by AI-optimised software used by world-class artists and composers.

Defender OCTA Black also benefits from recent updates to the Defender line-up. A fresh headlight design with a refined signature graphic, flush-mounted rear lights with smoked lenses, and a larger 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system enhance both aesthetics and usability.

This dramatic new variant joins the standard Defender OCTA, which is now available in two new exterior shades – Sargasso Blue and Borasco Grey – in addition to Charente Grey and Petra Copper. A Patagonia White Matte Wrap is expected to launch in late 2025.

In a fitting cultural tie-in, Defender continues as the official automotive partner for Oasis Live ’25, accompanying the legendary British band on their eagerly awaited 41-date global tour, which commences today in the United Kingdom.

With the launch of Defender OCTA Black, Land Rover cements its position at the pinnacle of performance SUV design – blending engineering mastery with a new dimension of visual impact and refined luxury.