Land Rover is one of the most iconic brands in the UK’s carmaker industry. Although their cars haven’t been exactly cheap, this new version of their mythical model will be entering production as the company attempts to create more affordable vehicles. The new Defender will have many features, and it will be smaller than the main version of the car. While projects like this are typically associated with the company’s Range Rover brand, this time it will be the “Land Rover side” that will have to produce a smaller car.
Land Rover currently has a limited range of vehicles
Almost every carmaker has the entry model. Almost every carmaker has an entry model that is designed to introduce buyers to their vehicles before they opt for the bigger and more expensive models. While Land Rover is often criticized for the mechanics, it still a strong brand in the market due to the quality and power their cars have. Not many can pull out the luxury and power Land Rover offers under the hood in the Defender and Discovery.
The catalogue of vehicles to choose from is larger in Range Rover. There is the Sport, Velar, Evoque and the car who caries the name of the brand. Now, it’s time for Land Rover to expand its line-up, and they will launch a new version of the Defender that differs from the original. The vehicle is expected to enter production next year, and we will be covering all the details.
New “baby” Defender is on the way: it will look very different
The new entry model is intended to appeal to a broader audience while still maintaining a connection to the original. It will be cheaper, smaller, and geared towards the driving preferences of today’s drivers. Autocar reports that the ‘baby’ Defender – potentially called the ‘Defender Sport’ – has been in development for years and is already being tested, based on the available spy shots. If everything goes according to plan, it could reach dealerships by 2027.
The compact version will resemble the main Defender but with a lower ride height, less emphasis on off-road capability, and overall smaller proportions. The car is anticipated to be approximately 4.6m long, 2.0m wide, and around 1.8m tall. The name “Defender Sport” briefly appeared on the Land Rover website, only through search results, suggesting a road-focused model similar to the Discovery Sport, but for those on a budget – like Volkswagen is doing it.
The car will be built using a platform from Range Rover
Autocar also hinted the new Defender could take over the spot of the ageing Discovery Sport, which is only offered as a plug-in hybrid right now and hasn’t been selling well. Production will be on the EMA platform, the same one used for the Evoque and Velar. All of them will roll out of the Halewood plant in Merseyside after its £500m upgrade. Despite JLR’s long-term plans for electric vehicles, the company has shifted its focus towards plug-in hybrids for the time being. The Defender remains the company’s top performer, with approximately 115,400 units sold globally.
BYD may enter the mix: high-quality batteries will be key
This comes as the government is preparing an emergency package to keep jobs safe after the recent cyberattack on JLR. Business Secretary Peter Kyle is reportedly looking at ways to step in and support the company and its suppliers. The car will also be fully electric, built under an exclusive platform meant for EV’s. Since the car will only launch in 2027, there’s time for the brand to find a reliable battery supplier, potentially one like BYD, who has been providing lithium batteries for most part of the industry.