Land Rover Defender Octa 2027: power cut, price and what changes

© A. Krivonosov

Land Rover is preparing the 2027 Defender with a number fans won’t love: the Octa keeps its V8, but output drops from 626 to 533 hp. The reason is Euro 7 emissions rules. Torque stays at 750 Nm, and the 0-62 mph sprint only worsens slightly — from 4.0 to 4.3 seconds.

Engineers tried to compensate for the power loss with sound: the Defender Octa gets a new exhaust manifold and a deeper exhaust note. For a vehicle bought for more than just its spec-sheet numbers, that matters more than it might seem. The SUV is still faster than most heavy SUVs, but in the “numbers game” it now looks weaker next to the BMW M5, Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid and Mercedes-AMG G 63.

The second change is harsher, SPEEDME believes: the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is leaving the Defender lineup — a question that had already come up about the model’s future. It will be replaced by a 3.0-liter Ingenium inline-six with mild hybrid assistance and 375 hp on tap. The D250 and D350 diesels carry over, as does the plug-in hybrid. For Europe, this is a logical environmental pivot; for the used market, it’s a future boost in interest for the older V8 cars.

The update also touches the exterior. A new Defender Vertex arrives with wider front and rear bumpers, a new grille, a more prominent spoiler and 22-inch wheels. The Defender 110 will offer a six-seat cabin for the first time, with two separate second-row seats instead of a bench. New materials join the trim list, including Ebony Forged Textile made from 100% polyester.

UK prices start at £58,655 (about $78,400). The Defender Vertex is priced from £92,635 (roughly $123,900), while the updated Octa starts at £147,245 (around $196,900).

For buyers eyeing the used market, the shift matters: a supercharged-V8 Defender is likely to become more sought after secondhand, while the new, less powerful Octa will be a harder sell as the “angriest” version. The 3.0-liter unit, though, could prove the more practical choice on tax, running costs and maintenance for anyone who wants a Defender without chasing the last tenth of a second to 62 mph.