'Land Rover Reportedly Introducing a New Addition to their Lineup'

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【Summary】Land Rover is reportedly adding a "baby Defender" to its lineup, set to be released in 2027. The compact SUV will be built on the new EMA electric vehicle platform and may be called the "Defender Sport." It is expected to be smaller than the current Defender but will still have ample interior space. The new model will feature 800V charging capability and have batteries with higher energy density than the Jaguar I-Pace.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 10:18 AM PT

'Land Rover Reportedly Introducing a New Addition to their Lineup'

If you're a fan of the Land Rover Defender but find it to be too big, there's good news for you. The British automaker has reportedly approved the production of a "baby Defender" that will join the existing product line in 2027, alongside the 130, 100, and 90 models.

According to Autocar, the smaller Defender will be closely related to the next-generation Range Rover Evoque, Velar, and Discovery Sport. It will be built on Land Rover's new EMA electric vehicle-only platform. Sources suggest that the compact 4x4 might be named the "Defender Sport."

While the exact size of the baby Defender has not been confirmed, Autocar states that it will be "much more compact in all dimensions" compared to the current combustion-powered Defender. However, due to sharing its underpinnings with smaller vehicles, it is expected to be approximately 15 feet long, 6.5 feet wide, and 5.9 feet tall. The current full-size Defender shares its platform with the Discovery, and an electric variant is expected to be released around 2026, using the MLA architecture from the Range Rover.

EMA-based vehicles, including the baby Defender, will feature 800V charging architecture and will be capable of rapid charging comparable to other electric vehicles on the market, potentially reaching a peak rate of 350kW. The batteries for these vehicles will be supplied by Tata's new UK-based factory and are said to have significantly higher energy density than those found in the current Jaguar I-Pace.

This means that the baby Defender will have smaller batteries, allowing for more interior space. Additionally, it will have a raised ride height, which will benefit Defender owners who enjoy off-roading.

Autocar suggests that the introduction of a fourth Defender model is part of Jaguar Land Rover's strategy to differentiate its four core brands (Jaguar, Discovery, Range Rover, and Defender) into distinct product lines. This move aligns with the automaker's "House of Brands" strategy, where the Defender's tagline will be "embrace the impossible."

With the upcoming release of the baby Defender, Land Rover enthusiasts can look forward to a more compact and electric option in the iconic Defender lineup.