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Land Rover Baby Defender is expected to go on sale in a couple of years and it will be equipped with twin electric motors and a 4WD system
The Defender’s story begins with the original Land Rover Series of 1948 – a model that laid the foundation for rugged off-roaders worldwide. Over the years, the utility vehicle was distinguished mainly by its wheelbase lengths – 90, 110 and 127 – before the Defender badge was formally introduced in 1990 to differentiate it from the then-new Discovery.
Production carried on with incremental updates for decades but the iconic 4×4 eventually bowed out in January 2016. The reborn Defender nameplate returned to global showrooms in 2020. Building on the momentum, the brand is now preparing to strengthen its portfolio with a downsized derivative – informally dubbed the “Baby Defender” or Defender Sport.
Slated for a 2027 debut, the compact luxury SUV will sit at the entry point of the Defender family with an aim to garner high volume sales while retaining the rugged appeal of its larger siblings. What will set it apart, however, will be its positioning as a more technologically advanced offering built on Land Rover’s EMA architecture.
Also Read: Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition Unveiled – One For Enthusiasts!
It will be conceived from day one as an EV. Measuring close to 4.6 metres in length, about 2 metres wide and standing under 1.8 metres tall, it will slot below the standard Defender. Spy shots of Land Rover’s upcoming electric SUV reveal a boxy stance with an upright profile and LED lights that echo its bigger sibling. The SUV is expected to feature dual electric motors for full all-wheel-drive traction while an 800V electrical system could allow ultra-fast charging at up to 350 kW.
The Baby Defender is expected to draw its battery supply from Tata’s soon-to-be-launched UK gigafactory while final assembly will take place at Land Rover’s Merseyside plant. Its compact size combined with an electric drivetrain may position the SUV as a versatile option for younger customers but we will have to wait and see what really pans out.
Also Read: Land Rover Freelander To Return In A New EV Avatar Next Year
When it launches, it will go head-to-head with Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming “Little G” electric SUV. Considering the good reception for the Defender badge, it could be a tempting option for Land Rover to launch the baby Defender in India. Still early days though as we will have to patiently wait!
The post A Compact Land Rover Defender Is On Its Way – Here’s What We Know appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.
