New Land Rover Defender 'Sport' EV: What We Know | Carscoops
The second model in the Defender lineup will compete with Mercedes-Benz's forthcoming compact G-Class.
The latest Land Rover preserves a recognizable boxy appearance akin to the Defender that we admire.
Spy photographs suggest that the new Defender’s taillights may be positioned low on the rear bumper.
This more compact SUV will be built on Jaguar Land Rover’s newest EMA platform.
It seems like a new electric SUV is being introduced almost daily, and now Land Rover is joining the trend with its own version: a smaller, electric Defender. This forthcoming model, possibly named the Defender Sport, was spotted during testing earlier this month. When it enters production, it may resemble this.
Recent renderings based on prototype sightings provide an insight into Land Rover’s potential design direction for the new model. Even though the prototype we saw was heavily disguised, it was evident that the vehicle shares a square silhouette with its full-sized counterpart, the Defender.
**Exterior Design**
Conceived by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa, the front of the vehicle features headlights reminiscent of the current Defender, though with a twist, as they appear to have been “cut in half” to better fit the smaller dimensions of the baby Defender. The traditional grille has been replaced by a series of non-descript slits similar to those on the larger Defender, accompanied by larger air intakes flanking the bumper.
Similar to its larger sibling, this electric Land Rover also showcases flared wheel arches at the front and rear. The prototype displayed blacked-out wing mirrors and pillars, except for the color-matched C-pillar, which provides a pleasing contrast.
The rear design of the baby Defender is perhaps the most intriguing aspect. Similar to the controversial Hyundai Santa Fe, the Land Rover’s taillights are set quite low, positioned just above the bumper. While this gives the vehicle a unique appearance, it may benefit from having the lights positioned slightly higher.
**What Powertrain Will It Have?**
The mini Defender EV will likely be constructed on Jaguar Land Rover’s new EMA platform, which will also underlie the next generation of the Range Rover Evoque, Velar, and Land Rover Discovery Sport. This platform is engineered to support an 800-volt electric architecture, allowing for 350 kW fast charging.
We expect the baby Defender to be equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, with twin-motor setups likely intended to preserve the off-road capabilities that define the full-sized Defender.
**What Rivals Will The Baby Defender EV Have?**
The most immediate competitor for the baby Defender EV will be a compact variant of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is also in development. The 'Little G' will be offered exclusively with an electric powertrain, although details regarding its configuration are still under wraps at this stage. While the practicality of all-electric off-road vehicles is still being debated, we’re certainly looking forward to the arrival of these two newcomers in the market.
**When Can We Expect It?**
Land Rover is expected to introduce the new baby Defender EV in 2027 as a 2028 model, with the smaller G-Class anticipated to launch around the same time or perhaps a bit sooner. Regarding pricing, the mini Defender is expected to be notably more affordable than the current Defender, which starts at $60,800 for the four-door Defender 110 and $56,900 for the two-door Defender 90.
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New Land Rover Defender 'Sport' EV: What We Know | Carscoops
The second model in the Defender lineup will compete with the soon-to-be-released compact G-Class from Mercedes-Benz.