Check out the 2025 Land Rover Destination Defender OCTA, it's a true off-road vehicle that is fun on the road, too. Land Rover is clearly going after the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen with a new version of the Defender that’s more powerful, more exclusive, and more expensive than any other Defender.
The engine transplant is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 sourced from BMW that produces 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque in this application. Already in use in several Range Rover models, this V-8 easily outclasses the old supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that was previously offered in the Defender. Land Rover claims a top speed of 155 mph with the proper tires equipped, and the OCTA also sounds properly mean thanks to its quad exhaust. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, and Land Rover also claims a 60 mph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.
Other modifications compared with the standard Defender include 1.1 inches of extra ground clearance, a track that's wider by 2.7 inches, and wheel-and-tire packages ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The front brakes are larger than the standard model's.
The front grille and bumper are restyled, and the underbody features a graphite spray. There are also yellow marker lights up front, which Land Rover says are required due to the OCTA’s extra width. A special OCTA drive mode is added, via a long press of a steering-wheel button, promising different tuning and an off-road-focused launch control.
Sportier seats are on board inside, wrapped in either semi-aniline leather or a range of other upholstery choices including more durable materials including Kvadrat textile or a material from Ultrafabrics. The seats also feature embedded speakers and a function that vibrates the seat along with the music. The OCTA will only be offered for the 110 configuration with a five-seat setup.
The name OCTA is meant to refer to the octahedron shape of a diamond, and Land Rover is trying to drum up hype for this model by offering just 300 units—at least at first. We’d expect the production run to extend past that eventually, or at least for a similar V-8 model to be offered in the future, but early buyers will be able to choose a special Edition.
We attend an epic celebration of the Defender lifestyle. Destination Defender brought owners and enthusiasts from across the U.S. for a momentous weekend of outdoor adventure and off-roading. A new version of the Land Rover Defender called OCTA is joining the lineup for 2025.
It has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with 626 horsepower and numerous other tweaks. A special OCTA drive mode is added, via a long press of a steering-wheel button, promising different tuning and an off-road-focused launch control. The OCTA starts at $153,475, and the Edition One package is an additional $15,800. We take it for a ride.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/TkIkLt66sYk
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Lauren Fix, The Car Coach is a nationally recognized automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and safety issues for both the auto industry and consumers. Her analysis is honest and straightforward.