Tag Archives: Land Rover

News

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa

British Land Rover has introduced a new version of its Defender SUV, the Land Rover Defender Octa. It is the most powerful version of this model that will be presented for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begins on July 11.

The car, which has been considered one of the best off-road vehicles for decades, received an improved chassis, steering system and adaptive suspension adapted to engine power, for minimal longitudinal and transverse tilting of the body, redesigned elements of the front and rear ends of the body, wider fenders, as well as 22- inch wheels and Brembo brakes. 20″ all-terrain tires (Goodyear Advance All-Terrain) are also available as an option, and it should be noted that thanks to the large clearance of the floor from the ground, the Defender can pass through water up to 100 centimeters deep.

The spacious interior, covered in leather, is equipped with contoured front seats with integrated headrests, and customers can choose from several different leather colors.

When it comes to the powertrain, the Defender Octa is powered by a 4.4-L V8 engine assisted by a mild hybrid system, with 635 hp (473 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power on both axles. This means that the previous 5.0-L V8 option with 525 hp (391 kW) is not offered.

Land Rover Defender Octa, which is considered Land Rover’s answer to the most powerful Mercedes G-Class, costs over 156,000 euros (Edition One).

Source: Land Rover

Gallery:

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa
News

The new Freelander is an EV but not a Land Rover

From 1997 to 2015, Land Rover produced a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the Land Rover Freelander. 14 years later this model is coming back but as a series of electric vehicles that will be produced in China.

Land Rover in China has a partner company and EV manufacturer, Chery, which will produce electric cars based on its own platform but as a separate sub-brand. The goal is mainstream electric vehicles, more affordable than what Land Rover currently offers. Design-wise, the cars will be a combination of Land Rover and Chery.

These two companies have been cooperating for years, since 2012, and the result of that partnership is the Discovery Sport, Evoque, E-Pace, and extended XF and XE models. Little is known about the Freelander, but some media in China say it could be mechanically related to the Exeed, a Chery sub-brand that will arrive in Europe by 2026.

It should also be noted that initially the cars will be sold only in China, but there are plans to export them to the global market.

Source: Land Rover

Tuning

Defender 130 Valiance based on the Defender 130

After revealing the Valiance Convertible, a soft-top Land Rover Defender 90 earlier in the year, now Dutch company Heritage Customs has revealed its latest project called the 130 Valiance (Pickup Defender) based on the Defender 130.

This 5.35-meter-long car is equipped with a roof rack with additional LED lights, on which a spare wheel is placed, specially designed off-road tires, and the third-row seats have been removed from the cabin. The tuner gives customers the opportunity to customize their car according to their wishes by choosing body elements, rims/tires, colors and materials for the cabin.

Land Rover product program chief Stuart Frith said last year that he would like to see the Defender in a pickup version as well, which would mean a continuation of the tradition. The same was the case with the previous generation of one of the most famous off-road cars of all time.

Heritage Customs has not released information about the powertrain, but it should be noted that the current Land Rover Defender 130 is powered by a 3.0-L inline 6 engine with 296 hp (221 kW), paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels.

When it comes to the price, the car with the upgrade costs 155,000 euros.

Source: Heritage Customs

Gallery: