- Defender Octa drops from 626 hp to 533 hp but keeps torque and gets rumblier.
- New Vertex trim adds tougher styling, including angrier face with bigger grille.
- Six-seat interior options arrives alongside new colours, accessories and P380 hybrid.
Here’s a fact that’s tricky for the JLR PR machine to spin: Land Rover has updated its Defender Octa performance flagship by junking 15 percent of its V8 horses. The flagship performance SUV loses 93 hp (95 PS) for 2027, but that’s only part of Defender refresh that also introduces a rugged looking new Vertex trim and plenty of smaller upgrades.
Related: Land Rover Is Building Something Even Wilder Than The Defender Octa
Let’s start with the eyebrow raiser. The BMW-sourced twin-turbo 4.4 liter mild hybrid V8 now produces 533 hp (540 PS) instead of its previous 626 hp (635 PS) output, while torque stays at 750 Nm. That pushes the 0 to 60 mph (97 kmh) sprint out to 4.2 seconds from 3.8 seconds, although Land Rover says revisions to the exhaust manifold deliver a deeper, more authentic V8 soundtrack in return.
Land Rover has also finally killed off the old supercharged JLR V8, which was still available in the 90 and 130. And a new P380 3.0 litre six-cylinder mild hybrid petrol engine producing 375 hp (380 PS) and 407 lb-ft (550 Nm), replaces the 395 hp (400 PS) P400 that made the same torque.
The bigger visual news is the arrival of the new Defender Vertex (gallery below), available in both two-door 90, or four-door 110 or 130 form. Sitting alongside the X trim, it adds chunkier front and rear bumpers and a larger grille that looks more than a little like an Octa’s. You also get body coloured lower cladding, gloss black detailing, yellow brake calipers, and standard 22 inch wheels. Buyers can also specify the Patagonia White Matte Wrap, plus several other paint finishes.
More Paint And Seat Options
Defender 110 buyers can now choose a six-seat layout (three rows of two) with individual captain chairs in the second row. Land Rover says the arrangement improves access to the third row, increases rear passenger comfort, and even creates extra luggage space between the seats.
Elsewhere, there are fresh paint options, including Woolstone Green for the Octa (see gallery below) and Namib Orange paint for other trims, and a new gloss protective Film that promises to heal minor scratches over time. The Defender – which is soon to get a little brother available with both electric and hybrid power – also gains additional accessories including a lockable tail door gear carrier, roof lighting, and more spoiler options arriving later this year.
