You might not have noticed the change, but Defender is now a stand-alone car brand. And every car brand needs an aspirational hero car. Meet the 2025 Defender Octa – a high-performance take on the Defender 110 that the company will market as a separate model later this year.
JLR, the company formerly known as Jaguar Land Rover, is spinning off several of its longstanding nameplates as separate brands. The plan has seen some Land Rover dealers rebranded as Discovery or Defender showrooms, though the Land Rover logo remains a badge on both vehicles.
A Fourth Model, but They All Look Quite Alike
Defender dealers currently have three models to sell – the Defender 90, 110, and 130 — all editions of the same car. That taxonomy will get more complicated when a fourth variant shows up.
Defender says the Octa name is inspired by “a diamond’s octahedron shape,” with “diamond being the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, renowned for its rarity.”
Twin-Turbo V8, Sophisticated Suspension
The Octa rides on the Defender 110’s chassis. However, it uses a twin-turbo V8 with a mild hybrid system for a power boost. Defender hasn’t released a power figure yet. But, to effectively hold down the flagship position, it probably needs to beat the already-robust 518 horsepower maximum available in the 110.
It uses a hydraulic interlinked air suspension Defender calls “6D Dynamics.” That “features an innovative pitch and roll control system that will enable Defender OCTA to maintain a near-level stance during acceleration, braking, and cornering on-road, while also maximizing independent wheel travel and articulation across the most demanding off-road terrain.”
Teaser photos show Brembo brakes as well.
Buy by Invitation
That’s all anyone outside the company knows about the Octa for now. Defender released just a few teaser shots, strategically chosen to reveal little. The company says the model will revealed to the press later this year. But they’re inviting “prospective clients” to see the car before showing it to the media.
That early peek is a tactic Ferrari sometimes uses to create a sense of exclusivity – which may hint at the Octa carrying a price tag well above current Defender models.
