2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA First Look

After a somewhat confusing and dramatic subtle brand shifting within the Jaguar Land Rover conglomerate of automakers, where Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, and Defender now operate with some level of brand autonomy from one another (at least in the marketing materials), we’re finally seeing the new vision release some interesting products. Meet the new flagship Defender SUV, the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA, boasting more power and off-road capability than ever offered before in one package. Here’s everything the automaker—whatever you want to call it—has done to elevate the Defender SUV to new heights.

What Does OCTA Mean?

The brand materials claim the new OCTA name, positioned at the top of the Defender 110 range, is inspired by the octahedral shape of cut diamonds which should invoke durability and luxury. The diamond motif is found in the unique encircled graphic signature for the OCTA models featuring a confusingly four-pointed (not eight) gloss black diamond shape with a machined titanium disk on various panels.

2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA Power

The Defender 110 OCTA and OCTA First Edition feature a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 good for 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque (or up to 590 lb-ft in launch control) through all four wheels, making the OCTA the most powerful production Defender ever. It comes with an 8-speed auto gearbox with various drive modes (more on those later). Standard Defender 110 V-8 models offer 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. The new and improved OCTA model now scoots (on pavement) from 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.8 seconds, with a capped top speed of 155 mph.

2025 Defender 110 OCTA Upgrades

The OCTA setup rides 1.1-inches higher and 2.7-inches wider than a standard Defender 110, and the wheel arches have been extended to match (and it now requires new clearance lights). The revised, so-called “6D” hydraulic suspension (adapted from the Range Rover Sport SV) benefits from longer, tougher wishbones and active dampers, and there’s a faster steering ratio and more off-road articulation. The “6D” is meant to signify vertical, lateral, and diagonal adaptability. Front brakes are upped to 15.7-inch discs with Brembo calipers, tucked behind 33-inch diameter tires (the largest ever out of the factory on a Defender, but they claim 35 inches ruins the steering, so be warned) with special-formula Goodyear all-terrain rubber. Redesigned bumpers also means improved approach and departure angles, and wading depth has increased to 3.3 feet. We were told it is “not meant” for jumping.

A bigger grille introduces more airflow to the engine, which pipes noise out of a four-exit active exhaust system at the rear in a new bumper design. An aluminum alloy front underbody shield is added to the redesigned front bumper for more protection. Recovery points are finished in Phosphor Bronze. More underbody protection is available as an upgrade, as is a protective matte paint film. New Petra Copper and Faroe Green colors are available alongside Carpathian Grey and Charente Grey, and all models get contrasted black roof and tailgate. Options also include a winch-mount and a twin raised air intake in chopped-effect carbon fiber.

What Is “OCTA Mode”?

Hold the OCTA button on the steering wheel and it will put the new model into “OCTA Mode” that includes a new Off-Road Launch control for loose surfaces, and with all traction control minimized, there’s a new unique braking calibration. A press of the button offers Comfort and on-road Dynamic modes, as well, and the Terrain Response system has off-road modes for sand, mud, grass, gravel, snow, and rock crawling.