We took a mid-winter trip up Route 62 to the Karoo Art Hotel, in the Defender OCTA. What a remarkable feat of engineering and design.
The Defender OCTA, drawing its name from a diamond, the shape of the precious mineral, retails for R3,5 million in South Africa. There are not very many of them, and those that do exist are spoken for. It was a great privilege to be given the keys for the weekend, and the timing was wonderful as we had a family trip planned to Barrydale.
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My dad and I in the front, his partner and my four-year-old sister strapped in at the back, we left the quiet streets of Vredehoek with a growl. The Defender OCTA is a masterpiece of engineering, designed as a high-performance off-roader. It sprints from 0-100km/h in just under four seconds, is equipped with the innovative 6D Dynamics hydraulically interlinked suspension (air suspension that also accounts for pitch and roll, without the use of anti-roll bars) and draws an eye-watering 467 kW and 750 Nm of torque from a BMW‑sourced 4.4-litre twin‑turbo mild‑hybrid V8. Was it an appropriate family bus? Probably not. But it was very welcome.
The OCTA is the current flagship offering in the Defender range (the First Edition and Black Edition serving as even more prestigious and rare options) and the distinct, luxurious interior makes the world of a difference on a road trip. Despite aggressive all-terrain tyres and an unavoidably loud engine, cabin noise is little to none. The interior highlights include Body and Soul (BASS) performance seats with vibro-acoustic sound systems (SUBPAC), chopped carbon-fibre trim, edge-lit shifter paddles, and premium leather/kVadrat/Kvadratex materials.
The driving modes are simple, with a steering wheel button allowing you to toggle between ‘Dynamic’ and ‘OCTA’ mode. Designed primarily for off-road use, a long press of the diamond button will engage OCTA mode; You feel the vehicle firm up, the engine and exhaust notes swell, and the throttle becomes more responsive.
While the power of the vehicle is notable, the delivery thereof is not overwhelming, and ultimately, the driving experience remains composed thanks to the awesome suspension and linear, controlled acceleration. While the OCTA is designed for high-speed, off-road driving, the security one feels inside the cabin is a quality worth noting, for anyone with the means to purchase it for daily or family use.
Making our way past the stalwarts of Route 62; Diesel & Creme and The Country Pumpkin, we parked the car outside the Karoo Art Hotel, where we would be set up for the weekend to enjoy John Dobson’s Five Arts Weekend.
Related: Review: Land Rover Defender Octa First Edition
Rick and Sue Melvill bought the old Barrydale Hotel four years ago, turning it into the Karoo Art Hotel. Beyond the cream, double-storied classic facade lies a unique network of warmth and decoration. The rooms are full of art, in the most understood sense of the word; beautiful sculptures, paintings, varied wallpapers, carpets and furniture of different style and era. But the Melvills understand art for more than tangible creative expression; at 30 Van Riebeek Street, Barrydale, art is a life force, it’s found in everything.
“Yes, it’s an art hotel. South Africa’s most celebrated. But then there are all the other arts; The art of the welcome, the art of the bar, the dining room, the bedrooms, the beautiful public spaces, the secluded getaway spots, the wood-fired ovens, the coffee, the conversation, the To Do list and more,” reads the welcoming message on the hotel’s website.
Rick, with his brother Rob, started the famous Safari outfitters Melvill & Moon. The outdoor brand has long been synonymous with Land Rover and Defender, and while the 2025 Defender OCTA was not quite sporting safari seat covers, there was a golden thread of the british off-roading heritage, from our modern-day vehicle to the Melvill & Moon-decorated Karoo Art Hotel. Rick, himself, owns one of only 100 specially produced Melvill & Moon Defenders.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend of art, culture and rugby, with the hotel as our base and the beautiful surrounds of Barrydale as the backdrop. From icy dips off the Tradouw Pass and the ‘art of the early morning’, to the fine art of well-prepared food, the Melvills find art in every activity. You can read about the experience in more detail here:
Beauty in Barrydale and the art of everything
On reflection, the Defender OCTA also allowed insight into the art of the road trip, made so much more enjoyable when driving the benchmark of luxury off-roading. Safe, comfortable and exceptionally capable, the Defender OCTA is an aspirational vehicle that has beautifully upheld the tenets of the brand’s off-roading heritage, with a sharp eye on the future of performance and sophistication. What a pleasure to take this masterpiece of machinery through the winding mountain roads of Route 62.
Related: 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa Black: South African Price & Specs
