Land Rover is reportedly looking at a new addition to the Defender lineup. The “baby Defender” however isn’t slated for release until 2027. This compact iteration of the iconic SUV is poised to join its larger siblings—the 130, 100, and 90 models—in a bid to cater to a diverse range of preferences.
According to a report by Autocar, the baby Defender will be built upon Land Rover’s EMA electric vehicle-only platform. This foundation is set to be shared with the forthcoming iterations of the Range Rover Evoque, Velar, and Discovery Sport. While exact specifications remain under wraps, insiders suggest that the baby Defender will be notably more compact in all dimensions compared to its internal combustion-powered predecessor.
Beneath the hood, the baby Defender is anticipated to feature Land Rover’s 800V charging architecture, enabling DC fast charging at an impressive peak rate of 350kW. The electric vehicle’s battery packs will be supplied by Tata’s UK-based facility, boasting significantly elevated energy density when contrasted with the current Jaguar I-Pace model.
The dimensions projected for this electrified dynamo hint at a vehicle around 15 feet in length, 6.5 feet in width, and 5.9 feet in height. A moniker with potential, “Defender Sport,” has been floated as a possible nameplate for this all-terrain EV.
It’s worth noting that Land Rover’s strategic decision to introduce a more compact Defender aligns with their overarching vision to forge clear-cut product lines for their four core brands—Jaguar, Discovery, Range Rover, and Defender.
