A more aggressive V-8 grade for the tough SUV is still being developed, but JLR did introduce a variant of their most recent Defender with a V-8 in 2022.

A new prototype has been seen hard testing at the Nürburgring, and JLR revealed it as the Defender Octa in March. Later in the year, the Octa is scheduled to make its debut; if it makes it to the United States, it will probably come as a 2025 model.

About the car, all JLR has revealed is that it would have a twin-turbocharged V-8 and a suspension system based on the manufacturer’s 6D Dynamics technology. Both characteristics are present in the similar Range Rover Sport SV, which has a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine from BMW that produces 626 horsepower.

Pitch control, height-adjustable air springs, and hydraulically linked dampers are all combined to create the 6D Dynamics suspension. JLR claims that the arrangement is intended to maintain the car’s body in an almost level position when navigating tough terrain or sharp turns.

Some more details are also revealed by the prototypes. These consist of higher suspension, mud flaps, flared wheel arches, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and a titanium exhaust with quad tips. The tires, which have front and rear tire sizes of 275/60, are mounted on 20-inch wheels.

If you’re curious about the name, it probably alludes to specific geometric diamond shapes called octahedrons. It is perhaps JLR’s intention to communicate that the Defender Octa is as resilient as a diamond, which is the hardest material found in nature. Tiny diamond emblems were visible on the car in teaser images that were shared with the news of the confirmation last month.