Land Rover Just Took 93 HP Away From the 2027 Defender Octa

Car updates usually bring more power. Land Rover has decided to try the opposite. The 2027 Defender Octa loses 93 hp, dropping from 626 hp (635 PS) to 533 hp (540 PS), while the rest of the Defender range picks up new seating options, colors, and accessories.

The BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 still produces 750 Nm of torque, but the missing horses have made the Octa slower. The 0-60 mph (97 km/h) sprint now takes 4.2 seconds instead of 3.8. Land Rover does offer something in return, with a revised exhaust manifold said to give the V8 a deeper and more natural soundtrack. Is better noise worth losing 93 hp?

The Defender 110 also gets a new six-seat cabin layout with three rows of two seats. Individual captain's chairs in the second row make it easier to reach the back and give passengers more room. The space between the chairs can also be used for extra luggage.

There are new colors too. Woolstone Green joins the Octa palette, while Namib Orange is available on other Defender trims. A new gloss protective film can heal minor scratches over time, and Land Rover is adding more accessories, including a lockable tailgate gear carrier, roof lighting, and extra spoiler options later this year.

The Defender range is still growing, with a smaller sibling also on the way with electric and hybrid power. But for now, the 2027 Octa's biggest talking point is simple: Land Rover took away 93 hp and made it louder. Fair trade or a downgrade? Let us know in the comments.