Land Rover is set to introduce a new ‘baby Defender’ model as part of its compact SUV lineup. This model has been rumoured for a while but has never appeared on JLR’s official product roadmap. It will join the next-generation Range Rover Evoque, Velar, and Land Rover Discovery Sport as a sibling model, sharing the company’s new EMA electric vehicle platform.
During JLR’s recent investor conference, CEO Adrian Mardell confirmed the expansion of the Defender family into the compact 4×4 segment. He stated that the Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery brands will all be built on the same platform. This sheds light on the mysterious fourth model line that will be produced alongside the three electric SUVs at JLR’s Halewood factory.
Mardell did not provide further details, but the confirmation of the smaller Defender using the electric-only EMA architecture gives insight into the new model. It may be named the Defender Sport and could be available as soon as 2027. Compared to the current combustion engine-powered Defender, the baby Defender will be smaller in dimensions.
The new model will use a different platform than the current D7 platform used by the Defender and Discovery. It will adopt the MLA structure, which is used for combustion engine-powered and future electric variants of the Range Rover. The baby Defender is expected to be around 4.6m long, 2m wide, and less than 1.8m tall, making it similar in size to the upcoming Dacia Bigster and Skoda Kodiaq.
JLR’s goal is to separate each of its core brands into distinct product lines. The “House of Brands” retail strategy will position the Defender family as “embrace the impossible,” emphasizing the vehicle’s off-road heritage. The baby Defender will maintain the rugged, go-anywhere ethos that made the Defender famous, with squared-off lower quarters, body cladding, and simple panels to enhance its off-roading capabilities.
The EMA-based cars, including the baby Defender, will feature 800V charging architecture and high-energy density batteries manufactured by Tata’s UK-based factory. These advancements will allow for quick charging and slimmer batteries, leaving more space in the cabin. Additionally, the baby Defender will have a raised ride height, aligning with Land Rover’s ethos for its smallest cars to embody the Defender brand.
The current Defender is a significant contributor to JLR’s global sales. The baby Defender, priced lower than its full-size sibling but with similar attributes, has the potential to become a key volume player for JLR, particularly in the UK where it is rumored to be manufactured. The success of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport, both downsized interpretations of iconic SUVs, suggests that there is a demand for compact SUVs in the premium car market.