The JCB Hydromax made history at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August of this year. It set a new land speed record for hydrogen-powered cars, reaching a maximum speed of 406.320 mph. It was assisted by another British icon—the Land Rover Defender Octa.
The Defender Octa, with its 626 hp twin-turbo V8 engine, pushed the 2.5-tonne JCB Hydromax from rest to 55 mph on a surface that’s mostly loose salt. Once at speed, Andy Green, who was at the wheel of the land speed record car, engaged first gear and accelerated down the salt flat.
Land Rover had to make a few modifications to the Defender Octa for this job. A custom push plate was installed in the front, and additional reinforcement was added to the front recovery point. The SUV’s 6D Dynamics suspension helped keep the push plate level by limiting body roll and pitch.
The Defender Octa’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with its 553 lb-ft of peak torque and all-wheel drive proved sufficient to provide the initial shove to the Hydromax.
Source: JLR
