Land Rover Defender Extreme Prototype Spied Off-Roading at Nürburgring

Land Rover is working on more than just a planned update for the Defender. An even more extreme version of the SUV is in development. A new prototype was spotted at the Nürburgring, although its appearance suggests it is better suited for serious off-roading than a racetrack.

Compared to the standard Defender, this prototype looks wider and taller. It rides on large Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires, has increased ground clearance, and two snorkels on the pillars. All these details hint at more extreme off-road capability. The source suggests this could be Land Rover's answer to the Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4 Squared.

Currently, the top Defender model is the Octa. Based on the Defender 110, it features a 4.4-liter V8 from BMW producing 626 hp and 750 Nm of torque. But the new prototype appears even more radical, focusing not just on power but on ground clearance, off-road prowess, and an extreme look.

It remains unclear whether the future version will keep the Octa's engine or receive a different tune. The name, debut date, and price are also unknown. According to the source, the launch could be timed with the upcoming Defender facelift, and the model might hit the market in 2027 as a 2028 model year vehicle for North America.