JLR (previously Jaguar Land Rover) in 2022 launched a Defender geared up with a V-8, however a extra hardcore V-8 grade remains to be within the works for the rugged SUV.

It was confirmed this week by JLR because the Defender OCTA, and prototypes have been noticed within the wild. It is set to make a debut later this 12 months, and it will seemingly arrive as a 2025 mannequin ought to it attain the U.S.

All JLR has stated in regards to the automobile is that it’s going to include a twin-turbocharged V-8 and a model of the automaker’s 6D Dynamics suspension. Each options are discovered within the associated Vary Rover Sport SV, which generates 626 hp from a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8.

The 6D Dynamics suspension is a flowery title for a mixture of hydraulic interlinked dampers, height-adjustable air springs, and pitch management. Based on JLR, the setup is designed to maintain the automobile’s physique at an nearly degree stance throughout exhausting cornering or driving over tough terrain.

Prototypes reveal various extra particulars. These embrace a titanium exhaust with quad ideas, together with flared wheel arches, a raised suspension, mud flaps, and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. The tires are wrapped round 20-inch wheels and measure 275/60 entrance and rear.

In case you are questioning in regards to the title, it seemingly refers to sure diamond shapes in geometry generally known as octahedrons. It is seemingly JLR desires to convey that the Defender OCTA embodies resilience akin to a diamond, the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. Teaser pictures launched alongside this week’s affirmation of the automobile revealed tiny diamond logos.

JLR’s Particular Car Operations got here near launching the same hardcore Discovery SVX a number of years again. It was going to be powered by a V-8 and fitted with off-road upgrades. It might have established a brand new off-roading vary for SVO, just like the division’s SVR track-focused vary and the SVAutobiography ultra-luxury vary. Whereas the Discovery SVX was in the end canceled, JLR by no means dominated out future automobiles prefer it.