JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) is no stranger to high-performance SUVs with beefy engines, and its next will be a hardcore Defender that will feature the new OCTA performance sub-brand.
Previously thought to be called the Defender SVX, the Defender OCTA has now been spotted testing in prototype form and should premiere later this year. The timing points to the vehicle arriving in the US as a 2025 model, assuming it is offered here.
Teaser photos released by JLR on Tuesday hint at some of the upgrades planned for the Defender OCTA and also hint at the origins of the OCTA name. Teasers show that the vehicle will feature inside-out diamond graphics, and certain diamond geometric shapes are known as octahedra. Presumably, JLR means that the Defender OCTA is as tough as a diamond, the hardest naturally forming material on Earth.
JLR doesn’t have many details about the Defender OCTA, but it said the vehicle will come with a twin-turbo V-8 and 6D Dynamics suspension. Both characteristics are found in the Related Range Rover SVwhich generates 626 hp from a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8.
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2024 Range Rover Sport SV
The 6D Dynamics suspension is a combination of interlocking hydraulic shock absorbers, height-adjustable air springs and tilt control, which according to JLR can keep the vehicle body in a nearly level position during sharp turns or when traversing rough terrain at high speed. That’s impressive considering the system also eliminates the need for conventional stabilizer bars.
The teasers also show that Brembo brake calipers will be used on the Defender OCTA.
The prototypes spotted in the wild were seen with quad-tip titanium exhaust, along with flared wheel arches, raised suspension, fender flares and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. Tires were wrapped around 20-inch wheels and measured 275/60 front and rear.
JLR said the Defender OCTA will serve as the flagship of the latest Defender, and that the same diamond graphics will appear on “all future Defender flagship models,” perhaps hinting at a expanded Defender lineup.