An electric “baby” Land Rover Defender is in the plans
JLR, the company that now represents Jaguar Land Rover, is slowly beginning its shift towards exclusively electric luxury SUVs. Not only does the manufacturer intend to get rid of its heat engines in the near future, but it also intends to expand its range of models bearing the badge. Defender. Indeed, there will soon be a “baby” Defender that will only run on electricity.
Another small SUV
It must be said that Land Rover is not short of small SUVs within its range. The manufacturer already markets the Evoque and the Discovery Sport. Everything suggests that this small Defender will be marketed alongside them, while offering consumers an added touch of adventure and the outdoors.
At least, that’s what we understand from the assertion of Adrian Mardell, CEO of JLR, during a conference with the shareholders of the company. In reality, this compact-sized Defender will be built on the same JLR EMA modular architecture – the one that is dedicated to electric – as the next Evoque and Discovery Sport. They will be built at the manufacturer’s factory in Halewood, England.
This decision to expand the Defender name stems from an interest on the part of JLR to create a brand in its own right. The Defender range will therefore give birth to a plethora of new models. Unlike the other models in the range, which mainly prioritize luxury and comfort, they will be mainly dedicated to off-road capabilities and outdoor activities.
If we rely on what Mr. Mardell said, JLR vehicles from the EMA architecture will be compatible with the 800-volt charging infrastructure and will be able to receive a charging power of up to 350 kilowatts. A new battery, supplied by the Tata Motors battery factory based in Somerset, England, will power these models, but its technical characteristics are still unknown.
However, we would have to be patient before we see a mini electric Land Rover Defender on our roads, because the manufacturer only plans to market it for the 2027 model year.
