The Defender is already one of the most reliable vehicles on rough terrain and now it can also cross it at incredible speed.
JLR on Wednesday revealed the 2025 Defender Octa, a new performance flagship based on the defender 110 and the first member in a potential Octa performance sub-brand. The name is a reference to certain diamond shapes in geometry known as octahedrons, and diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth.
But the Defender Octa is also designed to be a tough nut to crack when it comes to on-road performance, aided by the advanced 6D Dynamics suspension that debuted in the Range Rover Sport SV 2024.
The setup consists of a combination of hydraulically linked semi-active dampers, height-adjustable air springs and roll control, which, according to JLR, can keep the vehicle’s body in a near-level position during sharp turns or when traversing rough terrain, thanks to the greater wheel articulation that can be provided. The system eliminates the need for conventional anti-roll bars, the automaker said.
![Land Rover Defender Octa 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa 2025](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/land-rover-defender_100934834_l.webp.webp)
Land Rover Defender Octa 2025
Ride height has been raised by 1.1 inches compared to the standard Defender, and the stance has been widened by 2.7 inches. These changes included the addition of revised suspension components, including longer, stronger wishbones, as well as flared fenders to house it all.
One of the lead engineers on the project was Jamal Hameedi, who heads JLR’s SVO division. Before joining JLR in 2018, Hameedi was chief engineer at Ford Performance (and its predecessor SVT), where he oversaw the development of several generations of the Ford F-150 Raptor, as well as the first-generation Ranger Raptor, which was limited to overseas sales.
Under the hood sits a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 and a mild-hybrid system. The powertrain, sourced from BMW, is also shared with the Range Rover Sport SV and delivers a robust 626 horsepower, the highest rating ever in a Defender from the factory. Power is routed to all four wheels via the Defender’s 8-speed automatic transmission with high- and low-range gearing.
Owners can expect a 0-60mph sprint in just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph when the vehicle is specified with 22-inch wheels and all-season tires. For serious off-roaders, there are 20-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Advanced All-Terrain tires developed specifically for the Defender Octa. JLR has also developed a special off-road launch mode that optimizes acceleration on loose surfaces. The mode can also be set to provide off-road ABS calibration to optimize braking on loose surfaces. Brembo brakes with rotors measuring 15.7 inches at the front have also been fitted.
![Land Rover Defender Octa 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa 2025](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/land-rover-defender_100934833_l.webp.webp)
Land Rover Defender Octa 2025
For the interior, the vehicle can be specified with highly durable trim as an alternative to the standard leather. Up front, there are sports seats with extra bolstering, and JLR also installs its Body and Soul Seat audio technology, which is a first for the Defender. The system uses transducers in the seats to allow occupants to ‘feel’ their favourite music tracks. It also offers six wellbeing programmes to help occupants relax.
Order books are now open and JLR has confirmed a starting price of $153,475 for the US market. A limited-edition Defender Octa Edition One will also be offered for the first year only, featuring a handful of select special touches including an exclusive Faroe Green paint finish. It has a starting price of $169,275. Both figures include a $1,475 destination charge.
The Defender Octa is part of an update Defender 2025 Line. The updates include new packages that bundle many popular individual options. The new packages include some that improve driving qualities, others that enhance cold-weather or towing capability, and some that enhance comfort.
The Defender Octa will make its formal debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 running in the UK from 11-14 July. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year.