Land Rover is set to expand upon the famous Defender family with a brand-new model - a compact, electric SUV expected to be launched officially worldwide in 2027.
More like a 'Baby Defender' unofficially, this latest model will occupy the fourth distinct product line in the expanding JLR-Jaguar Land Rover-brand portfolio after the Jaguar, Range Rover, and Discovery.
The Next Chapter in the Defender Legacy
As Land Rover CEO Adrian Mardell put it at the brand's 2023 investor conference, this latest iteration will thus be a more accessible, more compact, and more city-friendly version of the rugged Defender 110. The developments aim to broaden the appeal of the Defender so that this compact SUV still embodies off-road credibility and toughness.
Built on the Electric EMA Platform
The Baby Defender will be built on Land Rover's newer EMA (Electric Mobility Architecture), which can be defined as an EV framework. The EMA will also be used in models to come, including the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Discovery Sport.
The expected measurements are around 4.6 meters long, two meters wide, and under 1.8 meters high, thus buttressing its position in the mid-size SUV segment. Compact it may be, yet it is expected that the boxy Defender silhouette, along with a go-anywhere attitude, will be carried forward.
Electric but Rugged
Specifications for the model are still to come, but we know that the EMA platform makes a lot of space for complex electronics, enhanced connectivity, and autonomous tech to make sure Baby Defender is ready for the future. Meanwhile, Land Rover has assured fans that the new model will retain the off-road capability and durability that define the Defender DNA.
This coming compact electric SUV symbolizes Land Rover's embrace of a green future while demonstrating its resolve to meet the varying needs of the modern SUV buyer. The Baby Defender could turn out to be a game changer in the electric off-roader segment, fusing environmentally friendly technology with a traditional adventurous spirit.
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