The New Land Rover Defender Is the Most Powerful Version Yet

There is no doubting the capabilities of the latest Land Rover Defender .

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The company has finally unveiled the production version of the SUV’s new flagship, the Octa. The burly off-roader comes with several performance upgrades, the chief of which is a twin-turbo V-8 that pumps out well over 600 horses.

The big story here is, of course, the Octa’s powertrain. The variant, which was first teased earlier this spring , is powered by a twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid 4.0-liter V-8 mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that produces up to 626 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque. The new mill, which has previously featured in a number of Range Rover models, makes the Octa the most powerful Defender yet, easily beating out the previous title holder, the Carpathian Edition, 108 hp and 92 ft lbs of torque.

Drivers should really be able to feel the difference when they’re behind the wheel of the 4×4, too. Land Rover claims the Octa will be able to launch from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Again, it easily bests the Carpathian edition which accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 149 mph.

The Octa also comes with its fair share of off-road upgrades. It’s got an extra 1.1 inches of ground clearance and its front and rear bumpers have been redesigned for improved approach and departure angles. There’s front and rear recovery points, an active exhaust system with quad tailpipes, and underbody protection. It also rides on a set of 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Advance all-terrain tires designed specifically for the SUV. Land Rover even claims it can wade through 3.3 feet of water.

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The Defender’s design has also received a subtle reworking. The grille has been revised to improve airflow, it’s outfitted with wider wheel arches (the vehicle’s stance is 2.7 inches wider), and it wears diamond-shaped Octa badging. Inside, you’ll find new performance seats. The Edition One package, which will only be available during the model’s first year, includes unique green upholstery, carbon trim, and special wheels.

The Defender Octa will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. No on-sale date has been announced yet, but Land Rover dealers are taking orders for the model now. The high-performance SUV will start at $152,000 and the Edition One at $167,800.

Click here for more photos of the 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa.

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