- The new compact SUV will be built on the EV-only EMA platform, promising significant advancements in efficiency and performance.
- Mini electric Defender Sport SUV may give the brand another high-volume seller as it accelerates into the EV era.
Compact yet rugged, the mini electric Defender Sport is set to expand JLR’s EV lineup by 2027, aiming to redefine off-road driving.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the addition of the Defender Sport to its fleet, a mini electric SUV set to hit the market by 2027. Despite its compact form, it embraces the brand’s iconic rugged, open-road mentality. Announced at a recent JLR investor conference by CEO Adrian Mardell, this strategic move signals the brand’s aggressive push into the EV space, capitalizing on its reputation as a leader in robust off-road vehicles.
This model will ride on the company’s EMA electric vehicle platform, designed specifically for electric mobility, and will feature on the 800 V EMA platform, capable of a peak rate of 350 kW, and will utilize more efficient batteries supplied by Agratas (Tata Group), enabling up to 450 miles of range. These improvements will offer more cabin space and a raised ride height, catering to consumer demands.
JLR’s marketing director, Anthony Bradbury, stated that the Defender 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 that spirit of embracing the impossible.”
The Defender series and Range Rover and Range Rover Sport contributed to 76% of the 185,000 orders in the first quarter of 2023. The addition of a lower-priced, mini electric Defender Sport SUV represents a strategic move by JLR to capitalize on the growing EV market and could become another high-volume seller for the brand.
With a legacy of open-road performance and a forward-looking commitment to electric mobility, the introduction of Defender Sport underscores Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to lead in the rapidly changing automotive landscape. The new model symbolizes both a nod to tradition and a bold step into the future, solidifying the brand’s position at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
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