Back in March, Land Rover announced that it was poised to soon roll out what it’s christened the Defender OCTA — the brand’s most powerful and off-road-capable Defender ever (and reportedly, by a pretty significant margin). Though details were scant, the company did state that the OCTA would have over 400hp on tap, 6D Dynamics air suspension tech, Brembo braking hardware, a tow rating of more than 8,000lbs, 35.4” of wading depths, almost a foot of ground clearance, and approach, break-over, and departure angles of 37.5° , 27.8°, and 28.5°, respectively.
Fast forward to today, and after months of rumors and speculation, the British brand has now unleashed its most potent, extreme, and hardcore Defender in the model’s more-than-40-year history — and it really is something special.
Forced Induction Hybrid V8
A monumental part of what makes the Defender OCTA so special is unequivocally its powertrain. The thing is kicked along by a 4.4-liter V8 that’s been fitted with twin turbochargers and a mild hybrid system — something that sounds like it would be found in an exotic sports car, not an off-road SUV Also equipped with an active exhaust system, the engine comes bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission with high and low range gears. The engine can also be enjoyed via one of numerous driving modes — one of which sees its braking calibrated specifically for driving on loose gravel.
Power & Performance
The 2025 Defender OCTA is extremely capable off-road, though once on the tarmac, it boasts performance capabilities that are more on par with your average sports car than SUV. Its twin-turbo mild-hybrid powertrain generates 626hp and 553ft-lbs of torque — though it’s also capable of delivering up to 590ft-lbs when using its available Dynamic Launch Mode. What’s more, its active suspension can also be lowered, allowing for better on-road handling. Its immense power allows it to reach a top speed of 155mph, and hit 60mph from a complete standstill in just 3.8 seconds.
Running Gear
Using an advanced 6D Dynamics air suspension setup, the Defender OCTA comes outfitted with height adjustable air springs and hydraulic interlinked active dampers that benefits from the use of a state-of-the-art pitch and roll control system that enables the OCTA to maintain a near-level stance whether accelerating, braking, or cornering — and whether on-road, or off-road. The OCTA-spec’s hardware highlights don’t end there, however, as the new model also boasts a top-of-the-line six-pot Brembo calipers with uprated 15.7” discs.
Exterior Tweaks
Though it’s instantly recognizable as being a new-gen Defender, the OCTA does feature a few noticeable tweaks to its exterior. Its fenders are massively flared in order to open up space for its larger wheels and tires and their increased suspension travel. What’s more, in addition to sitting at 1.1” higher, it’s overall stance has been widened by 2.7” — tweaks that bolster both its stability and ground clearance. The bottom fo the vehicle has also been capped off with a metal under shield with a unique graphite coating.
Built To Go The Distance (Anywhere)
The Defender OCTA is far more than a potent engine and a bevy of performance parts thrown at an existing model. Land Rover’s most capable Defender ever was painstakingly developed in order to ensure optimum performance across a huge slew of conditions, terrains, and environments. When all was said and done, the Defender OCTA underwent nearly 14,000 tests that saw it put through its paces in everything from high-speed off-road durability trials to road testing. The end result is a British-built off-road-ready super truck that’s been perfect dialed-in in order to optimize performance.
What Makes It Special
If one were to describe the Defender OCTA, it would sound more like a spare-no-expense off-road custom or desert racer than it would be production vehicle from a luxury marque. The OCTA-spec’s combination of extreme performance capabilities and world-class luxury make it unlike almost anything else on the road. Sure, Toyota’s TRD Pro lineup and Ford’s Raptor-spec models may be comparable in terms of off-roading abilities, though they’re hugely lacking compared to the OCTA in luxury and comfort — not to mention being substantially down on power.
Defender OCTA Edition One
Alongside the already-wildly-impressive “regular” version of the new luxury off-roader, Land Rover is also offering a Defender OCTA Edition One that’s equipped with a host of special options as standard and will only be available in the model’s first year of production. Unique details on the Edition One includes an exclusive new Faroe Green paint job, Khaki and Ebony Ultrafabrics upholstery, a forged carbon fiber trim package, and 20” forged alloy wheels.
Spec Sheet
Model Year: 2025
Brand: Land Rover
Model: Defender OCTA
Engine: Twin-Turbo 4.4L Mild Hybrid V8
Power: 626HP & 553FT-LBs
Top Speed: 155MPH
0-60MPH Time: 3.8 Seconds
Max Wading Depth:3.3’
Starting Price: $152,000
Pricing & Availability
Slated to make its official public debut at the upcoming 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA will be available for order in the coming weeks. Pricing for the Defender OCTA starts at $152,000 and $167,800 for the Defender OCTA Edition One.
Recap
2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA
Representing the British marque’s most potent and capable Defender ever, the 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA provides an unparalleled amalgamation of luxury, power, and go-anywhere capabilities, thanks to a plush interior, advanced suspension, and 626-hp twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid V8.
