'New Addition' to join JLR's compact SUV line-up by 2027

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【Summary】JLR is set to introduce a compact SUV, dubbed the 'baby Defender', by 2027. The new model will be part of the company's new EMA electric vehicle platform and will be smaller in dimensions compared to the current Defender. It is expected to have a similar size to the Dacia Bigster and Skoda Kodiaq. The move to expand the Defender family is in line with JLR's strategy of separating each of its core brands into distinct product lines.

FutureCar Staff Aug 13, 2023 11:33 PM PT

'New Addition' to join JLR's compact SUV line-up by 2027

Land Rover is set to introduce a new "baby Defender" model, expanding its lineup and venturing into a new segment. The compact 4x4, which has been rumored for years but never officially confirmed, will be the fourth model line for the Halewood firm. It will join the next-generation Range Rover Evoque, Velar, and Land Rover Discovery Sport, all of which will share the company's new EMA electric vehicle platform.

The announcement was made by CEO Adrian Mardell during JLR's recent investor conference. He stated that the Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery brands will all be based on the EMA platform. While no further details were given, it is expected that the smaller Defender will be called the Defender Sport and could be available as soon as 2027.

The baby Defender will be significantly smaller than the current combustion engine-powered Defender. It will utilize the MLA structure, which is used by combustion engine and future electric variants of the Range Rover. This will make the new model similar in size to competitors like the Dacia Bigster and Skoda Kodiaq.

JLR's decision to introduce new Defender models aligns with its strategy to separate each of its core brands into distinct product lines. The Defender strapline will be "embrace the impossible," emphasizing the car's off-road heritage. The smaller Defender will embody the rugged, go-anywhere ethos that made the Defender a household name.

The EMA platform will allow for quick charging and high energy density batteries, supplied by Tata's new UK-based factory. This will enable the smaller Defender to have a raised ride height and offer a more accentuated Defender brand experience. With its lower price point and comparable attributes, the Defender Sport has the potential to become a high-volume player for JLR.

The Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport have been successful sellers since their respective launches, indicating that downsized interpretations of iconic full-size SUVs have broad appeal in the premium car market. While JLR has not disclosed specific sales targets for its EMA-based models, the strong demand for these types of vehicles strengthens the case for the new baby Defender.