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Back to Podcast EpisodesFirst Look at Land Rover’s Baby Electric Defender
What’s better than a Defender? A smaller, nimbler one
In the land of big, bad SUVs with a rugged edge, Land Rover is one of the best. From the go-anywhere Defender to the posh Range Rover, its large SUVs blend effortless off-roading prowess with levels of luxury to challenge less capable German SUVs. But the Land Rover brand has also had plenty of success with smaller, more compact models like the Evoque. That’s where the latest model captured by our spies comes in. This is the so-called “baby” electric Defender confirmed back in 2023 by CEO Adrian Mardell, and now we get an early look at its design.
Classic Boxy, Upright Profile
Autoblog
The baby Defender could possibly take on the Defender 80 or Defender Sport names, but this is unconfirmed at present. What’s clear from these spy images is that it’s got the boxy look of the larger Defender, instead of the curvier lines of smaller Land Rovers like the Evoque and Discovery Sport. It’s the Discovery Sport, one of the brand’s oldest models, that could end up being replaced by this baby Defender.
Vehicle size is difficult to gauge in images without another vehicle close by for scale, but this certainly does look like a more compact model with minimal overhangs. It’s a chunky-looking SUV, though, thanks to a tall hood, and the headlights appear to be seamlessly integrated into the bodywork, much like on the latest Range Rover.
If you’re wondering why a baby Defender is coming when the Defender 90 already exists, keep in mind that the two-door Defender 90 is still a fairly large SUV, especially in width and height. The Defender 80, if that’s what it’s called, will be more compact and probably give up some ground clearance in favor of sportier styling. It should also be a lot cheaper than the current Defender 90, which now costs well over $100,000.
Electric Modular Architecture Platform
Jaguar Land Rover has already invested millions in the EMA platform that will underpin the Defender 80/Defender Sport and several other vehicles. It’s not known exactly how much power the smaller Defender will make, but it’s expected to be equipped with an 800-volt electrical system that will enable fast charging at up to 350 kW.
4x4 will likely be standard, likely with some version of the brand’s Terrain Response system for different surfaces, such as snow and mud. However, this won’t be a hardcore body-on-frame SUV like the larger Defender. Think of it more as a Ford Bronco Sport,
Published on 1 day, 18 hours ago