British automaker Land Rover has unveiled its new mini electric SUV called the Defender Sport. Slated for release in 2025, the Mini Defender Sport will be Land Rover’s smallest and most affordable electric vehicle yet.
According to reports, a new tiny Land Rover electric SUV called the “Defender Sport” is on the way. Despite its small size, the new EV will retain the brand’s renowned rough, off-road attitude.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has been tossing around the notion of a tiny SUV but has failed to announce it in any of its public plans, according to Autocar.
CEO Adrian Mardell acknowledged the decision to expand the Mini Defender Sports brand and introduce a compact electric SUV at a recent JLR investor meeting. “Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery will come off the platform,” Mardell said, referring to the company’s new EMA electric vehicle platform.
Also read: Best Small Electric SUVs: Embracing Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Adventures
Following the announcement of plans to convert its Halewood facility last year, the manufacturer stated that it would construct at least three or four EVs at the facility.
Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar are among the new electric vehicles. The mysterious fourth EV has now been revealed.
Mini Land Rover Defender Sport electric SUV will be available in 2027.
Although no additional information about the small Defender has been verified, the fact that it would ride on the EV-only EMA platform provides us with enough to work with.
The new tiny Discovery electric SUV will be significantly smaller than the gas-powered models already on the road. The Land Rover Discovery Sport will be built on the MLA architecture, which was designed for both ICE and future electric Range Rover models.
After introducing its new rebranding plan in June, Jaguar Land Rover is trying to maximize the value of each brand.
Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar will become their own brands, but Land Rover will retain “a key part of the company’s DNA.”
Anthony Bradbury, JLR’s marketing director, recently told Autocar that the Mini Defender Sport is “an explorer’s vehicle, it’s always pushed boundaries, it’s always physically allowed you to do things no other vehicle can.” It’s about accepting the impossible, and it’s been that way for 75 years.”
Even the tiniest Defender vehicle must have “that feeling of activation, of doing” while embracing the brand’s rough, open-road mindset.
The 800 V EMA platform will most likely have a peak rate of 350 kW. Meanwhile, the batteries will be far more energy dense than those in the existing Jaguar I-Pace, thanks to a new agreement with Agratas (Tata Group) to deliver battery packs with up to 450 miles of range.
Smaller, more efficient batteries will allow for more cabin space and a higher riding height, both of which purchasers want.
The Defender is one of JLR’s most profitable models. The three models, along with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, accounted for 76% of the 185K order total in the first quarter of 2023.
A lower-priced, small electric Defender Sport SUV would provide the company with another high-volume seller as it transitions into the EV age. The new EV is expected to be available in 2027.
