In case you’re a Land Rover Defender fan however really feel that the SUV has at all times been a bit too large, I’ve bought nice information for you. The British automaker has reportedly signed off on a “child Defender” to be the fourth mannequin in that product line behind the 130, 100 and 90, and it’s due out in 2027.
In accordance with Autocar, the lil’ Defender will probably be a sibling of the next-generation Vary Rover Evoque, Velar and Discovery Sport. It’s going to run on the corporate’s new EMA electrical vehicle-only platform. A supply tells the outlet that the 4×4 may undertake the “Defender Sport” nameplate.
There’s no actual phrase on measurement simply but, however Autocar stories that it’ll be “far more compact in all dimensions” when in comparison with the present combustion-powered Defender. Nevertheless, as a result of it’ll share its underpinnings with these smaller vehicles, it’ll in all probability be about 15 ft lengthy, 6.5 ft broad and 5.9 ft tall, in accordance with the outlet. The present full-size Defender runs on the identical D7 platform because the Discovery, and there’s a promised electrical variant that’s reportedly due out round 2026. That model will use the MLA structure from the Vary Rover.
Autocar says that EMA-based vehicles will probably be outfitted with 800V charging structure, and they are going to be able to absolutely charging as rapidly as any EV at present in the marketplace – most certainly with a peak fee of 350kW. The batteries themselves are going to be provided by Tata’s new UK-based manufacturing facility, and they’ll reportedly have “considerably increased” vitality density than what could be discovered within the present Jaguar I-Tempo.
That signifies that there will probably be smaller batteries — which is nice for cabin occupants who need extra room. It additionally means there will probably be a raised trip top — which is nice for Defender homeowners who truly wish to do some off-roading.
Autocar says the transfer to introduce a fourth Defender mannequin is a mirrored image of JLR’s bold plan to separate its 4 core models — Jaguar, Discovery, Vary Rover and Defender — into 4 distinct product traces. It’s a part of the automaker’s “Home of Manufacturers” technique the place Defender’s tagline will probably be “embrace the unattainable.” I’m already impressed.