New Defender OCTA Black is ‘4×4 rock star’

Never one to miss an opportunity, Land Rover. Particularly when it comes to Defender. The brand is the automotive partner of the Oasis Live tour that kicks off this weekend, and there can’t be many better ways to travel around the country than in arguably the world’s best off-roader. Certainly not a 635hp OCTA, with its 6D Dynamics air suspension, raised ride height, wider tracks and giant brakes. And nothing is quite going to clear the outside lane of the motorway for the Gallagher brothers like a new Defender OCTA Black, which is on sale from today. 

The overhaul won’t take much to grasp, following as it does the recently announced Range Rover Sport SV Black. Wherever there was any semblance of colour on a Defender before is now black – apparently as many as 30 exterior elements are now blacked out. The exterior paint is Narvik Black, like the SV, said to be ‘the truest black’ in the palette. Those elements that have been darkened include the scuff plates, underbody protection, Land Rover oval, exhaust tips, brake calipers – you get the idea. There are some choices between Gloss and Satin finishes, though little deviation really from the overarching theme. The 20-inch forged or 22-inch regular wheels follow the script; you might spot a bit of Sentient Silver on the calipers. 

Apparently the latest OCTA’s interior ‘takes tough luxury to a new level’, boasting new Semi-Aniline Leather with Kvadrat leather for the Performance Seats. Kvadrat, for those who don’t know (like us), is a Danish textile company. The Black debuts new seat patterns, stitching details and Carpathian Grey seat backs not previously seen on the Defender flagship. Optional chopped carbon is available for the beam that runs across the interior, which actually sounds quite smart; as standard it comes in a Satin Black Powder Coat.

Defender MD Mark Cameron said: “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.” Gotta give the people what they want, after all, especially if £158,045 can be asked for it. Or exactly £10,000 more than an OCTA in Charente Grey, Sargasso Blue, Petra Copper or Borasco Grey. Offer up an Oasis Live ticket in the next couple of days and you might have enough for a deposit…