Jaguar Land Rover CEO PB Balaji has confirmed that a new entry-level SUV, positioned below the current Defender, will enter production in 2027, with the all-electric version launching first. This marks the first official confirmation of a production timeline for the vehicle, widely referred to as the ‘Defender Sport’.
New Platform and Powertrain Options
The upcoming ‘baby Defender’ will share the EMA platform with the Range Rover GT, offering both all-electric and hybrid powertrain choices. Balaji indicated that while hybrid development is progressing, only the electric variant is slated to be market-ready by the end of 2027.
To accommodate the production of the Range Rover GT early next year, the Discovery Sport is scheduled to cease production within the next few weeks. Furthermore, Balaji confirmed that the Range Rover Evoque will gradually phase out later next year, with the new compact Defender taking its place.
Defender as a Standalone Brand
The ‘Defender Sport’, or potentially ‘Defender 80’ – a name that would align with the existing 90, 110, and 130 models – represents a significant step in Land Rover’s strategy to elevate the Defender from a model series to an independent brand, alongside Range Rover and Discovery. This new vehicle will be the first all-new model under the standalone Defender brand and the initial expansion of its product lineup.
“We currently have one vehicle, offering multiple different versions, but I am planning the entire brand product portfolio for the next 7 to 10 years. We must ensure that all Defender products retain the brand DNA, with robust durability and strong performance capable of conquering all terrains,” stated Cameron, who aims to build Defender into a “luxury lifestyle brand.”
Design and Off-Road Capability
The ‘Defender Sport’ is not a purely electric version of the current Defender 90 but a completely new development. Jaguar Land Rover has prioritized a platform designed specifically for electric vehicles, necessitating a rethink of the overall vehicle design. The new model is expected to be slightly over 4.5 meters long and will utilize the EMA platform. Higher-end Range Rover and Defender models use the MLA platform, while Jaguar has its own JEA electric platform.
Cameron noted that placing the battery at the base of the vehicle can restrict design possibilities. The dimensions and platform layout of the new model might lead to less suspension travel and wheel articulation compared to the current Defender. Consequently, the off-road capabilities of the ‘baby Defender’ may not entirely match the standards set by the current Defender, although they are still expected to be “outstanding.”
