The Land Rover New 2025 Defender OCTA: A True Off-Road Beast

Meet the new 2025 Defender OCTA, the wildest Land Rover and one of the most extreme 4x4s ever made. Today, we are in South Africa, ready to put this $160,000 OCTA Edition One through its paces. We will see if this top-shelf spec can handle everything we throw at it, from rally stages to off-road trails and on-road tests, including some serious wading. Stick around to find out how it performs in the sand dunes!

New 2025 Defender OCTA

What’s in a Name?

The name “OCTA” refers to the eight sides of a diamond. Why a diamond? Because it’s the hardest and most durable mineral on Earth. We’ll see if the OCTA lives up to that claim. So, how do you spot an OCTA compared to a standard Defender? There are a few clues:

  • Different front and rear bumpers
  • Quad exhausts at the back
  • A unique grill for better airflow
  • A special Pharaoh green color (which looks great, even when covered in dirt)
  • Wider wheel arches, 68 mm wider than the standard Defender
  • 33-inch tires and a 28 mm higher ride height
New 2025 Defender OCTA

But the most important part is under the hood. The OCTA comes with a BMW-sourced 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 626 brake horsepower. That’s a lot of power! Land Rover claims it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. That’s as fast as a Ferrari F50! Let’s give it a try.

Accelerating the OCTA

To get the best launch, we put the car in Dynamic mode. Just push a button on the wheel, and we’re ready to go. I press the brake and throttle, then release the brake. We’re off! The acceleration is powerful, and even for a 2.5-ton car, it feels exhilarating. The engine response is impressive, and I can feel the lack of pitch when I hit the gas. This car is built for speed!

New 2025 Defender OCTA

Exploring the Suspension

Next up is the suspension. The OCTA features 6D active air suspension, which is height adjustable. It has fancy hydraulically linked dampers, similar to what you find in high-end sports cars. This setup reduces pitch and dive while improving axle articulation when off-road. Let’s see how it handles on a tough off-road track.

The OCTA Arena

Welcome to the OCTA Arena! I’m wearing a helmet because we are about to hit a sandy off-road track. By using the OCTA mode, we can send about 80% of the power to the rear wheels, which loosens off the roll resistance. It’s time to have some fun! The terrain has deep ruts and a river crossing that we need to navigate. I can feel the car moving under me, but I trust the OCTA to handle the rough conditions.

New 2025 Defender OCTA

The steering is quick and lively. The steering ratio has been reduced, making it more responsive. This means I don’t have to cross my hands over the wheel. It gives the car a sporty feeling, which is surprising given its size. The brakes are also upgraded, with 400 mm front discs. We find ourselves bouncing over the ruts and crests, and I can’t help but enjoy how well the OCTA performs off-road.

The Wheels and Tires

Now, let’s talk about the wheels and tires. The OCTA has three options for wheels:

  • 22-inch wheels with all-season tires, top speed of 150 mph
  • 20-inch wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, top speed of 130 mph
  • 20-inch wheels with Goodyear DuraTrac advanced all-terrain tires, top speed of 100 mph
New 2025 Defender OCTA

We have the advanced all-terrain tires on our model. These tires are perfect for off-road stickiness. I’m excited to see how they perform when we attempt to drive up a wall! The Defender is built for this sort of challenge. With extra ground clearance and gnarly tires, I’m ready to tackle it.

Rock Crawling

Now it’s time to try rock crawling. This is where the OCTA shines. The clever technology helps me climb over rocks effortlessly. The car feels relaxed and in control, thanks to all the computers and clever software working behind the scenes. It makes me feel like an off-roading god!

New 2025 Defender OCTA

Comfort Inside the OCTA

Let’s shift gears and check out the interior. The interior is similar to the standard Defender but with some upgrades. The seats are called Body and Soul seats, which means they vibrate to match the music. They are comfortable and supportive, perfect for long drives.

The OCTA has a ride height that sits 28 mm higher than the standard Defender, which helps when wading through water. Speaking of water, the standard Defender can wade through 900 mm, but the OCTA can handle a full meter! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to test that today because the riverbed was dry.

New 2025 Defender OCTA

Wading and Dunes

Next, we head to Lambert’s Bay to tackle some sand dunes. We are in sand mode with the ESC off. The sand here is fine and different from other places. As we drive through the dunes, I realize that the OCTA is well-equipped for this. Its power and torque make it easy to glide over the soft sand. I have to be careful, though, to avoid getting stuck!

Conclusion: A Tough Off-Road Champion

After all our tests, I can confidently say that the OCTA is tough as old boots. It has agility and stability that exceed expectations. Despite its luxury price tag, this car is built for serious off-roading. It’s not just a fancy vehicle for show; it’s designed to handle extreme conditions.

Before we wrap up, I spoke with Matt Becker, the vehicle dynamics boss at JLR. He told me about the extensive testing the OCTA underwent, including extreme conditions in places like Dubai and France. They wanted to push this car to its limits, and it showed.

FAQs

Q. What is the price of the Land Rover Defender OCTA?

A. The starting price for the Defender OCTA is around $160,000.

Q. What kind of engine does the OCTA have?

A. The OCTA features a BMW-sourced 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine with 626 horsepower.

Q. How does the OCTA perform off-road?

A. The OCTA excels in off-road conditions, with advanced suspension and powerful tires designed for tough terrain.

Q. What is the wading depth of the Defender OCTA?

A. The OCTA can wade through depths of up to 1 meter.

Q. Is the OCTA suitable for everyday driving?

A. Yes, the OCTA performs well on-road and off-road, making it a versatile vehicle.

The Defender OCTA is indeed a marvel of engineering. It combines luxury with extreme performance, making it one of the best off-road vehicles you can buy.

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