A specially adapted Defender OCTA played a vital role as the JCB Hydromax set a new land speed record for a hydrogen combustion vehicle
A ‘push plate’ fitted to the front of 635PS Defender OCTA allowed it to move the JCB Hydromax from a standstill at the start of its record runs across Bonneville Salt Flats
Rules allow cars to receive a push for a maximum distance of 300m at the start of each run
Defender OCTA’s integrated winch mount provided the perfect basis for the push plate, while its 6D Dynamics suspension kept the contender steady under acceleration in the crucial early stage of the attempt
GAYDON, UK – 11th AUGUST 2026: Defender OCTA demonstrated its performance, capability and composure as it helped the hydrogen‑powered JCB Hydromax set a new land speed record.
The fastest and most powerful Defender ever made was chosen for a vitally important role in the successful record attempt, which followed a week of tests at the Bonneville Salt Flats SpeedWeek event.
With gearing aimed at high‑speed record setting, event regulations allowed the JCB Hydromax to receive a push start for up to 300m at the beginning of each run to help it get up to speed. After extensive analysis and testing, this vital role was entrusted to a Defender OCTA fitted with a bespoke push plate.
As a result, the JCB Hydromax set a Southern California Timing Association Speed Record and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) world hydrogen land speed record in Utah, USA.
Defender OCTA was the natural choice as a push vehicle. In traditional circuit racing, you're racing against time but when setting land speed records we're racing against distance – and the quicker we can get up to speed, the safer it is and the better performance we can have. It has also been a fantastic opportunity to combine the talents of two British engineering giants.”
We're operating on a surface that is incredibly loose, in an environment, where the effective altitude rises as the temperature increases through the day, which can be a challenge for naturally aspirated engines. That makes the combination of Defender OCTA’s all‑wheel drive capability and twin‑turbo V8 performance perfect for the task.
Lee Harper
Chief Engineer, JCB Hydromax
Defender OCTA features an integrated, crash‑tested winch mount, providing the perfect fixing point for the bespoke push plate attached to the front. Once the winch mount’s deformable crumple zone had been disabled and additional fixing points added – including a brace bar to the front recovery point on the Defender – the push plate was tested at speeds far in excess of those required by the JCB team, to ensure its robustness.
During the record runs, the Defender OCTA was required to push the 2,550kg JCB Hydromax from a standstill to 60mph within 300m – at an effective altitude density equivalent of up to 2,244m (7,365ft) above sea level. This proved no challenge for the twin‑turbo V8 powertrain of Defender OCTA, with its 48V mild‑hybrid system providing improved throttle response and enhanced sprint performance. Above 60mph the record‑breaking hydrogen combustion land speed record car could accelerate under its own power.
The advanced 6D Dynamics suspension fitted to every Defender OCTA contributed to its success. Its hydraulically‑interlinked and continuously variable semi‑active dampers eliminate both body roll and pitch under hard acceleration – crucial for maintaining the push plate angle during hard acceleration with JCB Hydromax.
Maintaining a level attitude while accelerating hard was important, to avoid unsettling the JCB Hydromax. With so much additional weight attached to the front we wondered if we would need to ballast Defender OCTA to meet the challenge, but in testing its 6D Dynamics suspension kept everything level without adding any additional weight – while Defender OCTA’s performance meant we could easily reach the target speed well within the 300m distance allowed by the regulations
Ian Johnson
Engineering Delivery Director
Defender OCTA’s high‑performance all‑terrain capability also came in handy at the end of each attempt, allowing it to quickly reach the JCB Hydromax ready for the return run – often miles away from the original push position.
The JCB Hydromax set a new land speed record for a hydrogen combustion vehicle of 406.320 mph and was driven by world land speed record holder Andy Green OBE.
