2025 Land Rover Defender Octa Is a British Raptor

Ford ignited a high-performance off-road renaissance when the first F-150 Raptor debuted for the 2010 model year. But, while few brands’ identities are so singularly rooted in wandering beyond the pavement, Land Rover’s highly capable lineup has stayed out of the high-speed desert-running craze — until now. The 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa is not only the most capable Defender ever, it’s a full-blown British Raptor.

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Stronger Bones, Healthy Heart

Named for the octahedral structure that gives diamonds their characteristic appearance and durability, the 2025 Defender Octa is based on the medium-length Defender 110. It sits 1.1 inches higher than the rest of the Defender lineup on a suspension that features longer and stronger wishbones. Those push the wheels out, widening the vehicle by 2.7 inches and necessitating those artfully integrated fender flares. The Octa is also the first Defender fitted with Land Rover’s 6D Dynamics suspension, which uses interlinked dampers that ensure maximum axle articulation off-road and allow for remarkable composure on-road, combating body roll, dive and squat better than metal sway bars could. The 33-inch Goodyear tires combined with the higher ride height allow the Octa to ford nearly 40 inches of water.

The high-speed half of the desert-running equation is handled by a mild-hybrid twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine cranking out 626 horsepower and 553 pounds-feet of torque. The most powerful engine ever crammed into a Defender, the 4.4-liter boasts an incredibly broad torque plateau, producing max twist from 1,800 rpm until nearly 6,000; Land Rover says it will fling the Octa from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. In addition to the usual sand, mud and ruts, grass, gravel and snow, and rock crawl modes, a unique Octa Mode includes off-road launch control and other features to help the SUV maintain high-speed stability on loose surfaces.

The Visuals

In addition to the larger tires and flared fenders, the Defender Octa gains new front and rear bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, a unique grille design and active exhaust outlets. Underbody protection includes an aluminum front skid plate, and bronze-finished tow hooks front and rear ease recovery efforts — of other vehicles, naturally.

All Defender Octas get a contrasting black roof and liftgate, and a new Petra Copper paint option is available only on the Octa. Matte film can be applied to any color choice, protecting the paint and giving the coat a unique finish. Octa badges on the C-pillars feature a gloss-black diamond in a machined-and-sandblasted titanium disc.

Inside, there are new sport seats with improved bolsters and integrated head restraints. Buyers have a choice of semi-aniline leather with or without fabric trim or two-tone synthetic leather.

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The Specialest Edition

Land Rover is celebrating the launch of the Octa with the Octa Edition One, an even more special variant. The Edition One offers a Faroe Green paint option, as well as unique “chopped carbon-fiber” interior trim Land Rover says is made from “recycled raw materials.” The stuff adorns the exterior badging as well as the hood and fender vents, front seatbacks and center console trim. The Edition One also features a bespoke two-tone synthetic-leather interior in Khaki and Ebony.

Availability and Pricing

Orders for the 2025 Land Rover Defender Octa are open now. Pricing for the standard Octa starts at $153,475; the Octa Edition One starts at $169,275 (prices include $1,475 destination).

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