The new flagship Defender will serve as a rival to trucks like the Mercedes-AMG G63 and Ford Bronco Raptor
by Brad Anderson
8 hours ago
- The OCTA will be the most powerful production Defender ever, featuring a 626-hp twin-turbocharged V8 engine from BMW.
- It will be equipped with advanced suspension and braking systems for both on-road and off-road performance.
- The new model is set to make its world premiere this July, with sales to follow shortly after.
For the second time since Land Rover confirmed the launch of a new flagship version of the popular Defender, our spy photographers snapped the new Defender OCTA undergoing high-speed tests at the Nurburgring. While the sight of a widebody off-roader at the world’s toughest racetrack is a bit odd, it will allow Land Rover to test the most powerful production Defender to its absolute limits.
These spy photos offer a detailed view of the eye-catching exterior of the Defender OCTA, a perspective absent in the recently released teasers. The prototype, draped in black and white camouflage, notably distinguishes itself from lesser variants with its flared front and rear wheel arches. Furthermore, Land Rover has made adjustments to the grille to improve cooling.
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We can spot more changes along the sides, featuring a set of attractive rally-inspired aerodisc wheels. While it’s too early to say if these wheels will reach production, we’re crossing our fingers. The rear of the Defender OCTA looks especially beefy, courtesy of the widened arches and twin tailpipes.
While the exterior of this new model will indeed be distinctive, the most significant alterations will occur beneath the surface. These begin with a new engine. The previous time the Defender boasted a V8, it utilized JLR’s former supercharged 5.0-liter powerplant, producing 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Baldauf
The OCTA will raise the stakes by employing a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with mild-hybrid technology. We’ve confirmed that it will churn out an impressive 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, matching the output of the Range Rover SV. Not only is it more potent (and probably more fuel-efficient), but it’s also 30 pounds lighter than the SVR’s previous V8. Modifications over BMW’s own 4.4-liter V8 will include a Land Rover-specific ECU, intake, and exhaust system.
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The British company is also fitting the Defender OCTA with its 6D Dynamics suspension system that does away with traditional anti-roll bars and instead combines the Sport’s air springs with hydraulically cross-linked dampers, featuring semi-active electro-hydraulic flow valves.
Land Rover states that this system enables the Defender to maintain a near-level stance during acceleration, braking, and cornering on-road, while also maximizing independent wheel travel and articulation across off-road terrain. Additionally, it comes equipped with potent Brembo brakes.
Land Rover
We have yet to catch a glimpse of the interior of the upcoming flagship Defender, but a teaser has unveiled a notable feature: an illuminated, diamond-shaped symbol on the steering wheel, signifying its special status.
Scheduled for debut this July, the new model will hit the global market later this year. In the U.S., it will be available as a 2025 model year, with Land Rover offering exclusive previews to interested customers through its Defender Elements event series. For more details, you can reach out to your local Land Rover dealer.
Update: This article has been revised to include all the latest information we have on the Defender OCTA, as well as a fresh set of spy shots. Additional reporting by John Halas.