What’s this adorable little SUV that the CarBuzz spy photographers have snapped in Germany? It’s the new baby Land Rover, also known as the Defender Sport or, based on some clues in the image, the Freelander. In any case, the new small model from the British brand is an EV with Defender-like capability.
And it’s going to arrive at the same time as we expect a baby G from Mercedes-Benz.
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
The new small Land Rover has been spotted on the road before, but this seems to be a more complete version. One that’s further along in the process, revealing some more details.
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
Not many more, mind you, but there are production-ready headlights and taillights on this one, though they’re hidden under a heavy amount of camouflage. A panoramic glass roof is also visible, though it’s not clear from this prototype if the roof will open.
You can also see roof rails for the first time, a must-have feature for a vehicle like this that had been missing from prior prototypes. The hatch-mounted spare is also a new thing, and it adds to the rugged look of the design.
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
The new model is likely to be built on the EMA (Electrified Modular Architecture) platform that it will share with the upcoming Range Rover GT and probably some other new electrics from the brand. The new electric platform lets Range Rover give the GT its long nose, which looks wonderful on the GT, but clearly had to be trimmed for this model. It shows the flexibility of the platform, which is also expected to allow for hybrid and plug-in hybrid models down the road.
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
This design doesn’t exactly scream Defender, though it might once more details are uncovered. Instead, it looks more like a modern interpretation of the Land Rover Freelander that was sold from 1997 through 2006 in the US. Blue “FL” writing on the wheels hints that the name is being used internally (yes, it could also mean front left, but that’s not how the other wheels are marked), though it’s not likely to make it to production.
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
You can expect this to be called Defender Sport or something similar over Freelander, because JLR is already using the Freelander name. It brought back the marque to use on a joint venture with Chery in China, and has already revealed a production-intent Freelander 8 electrified SUV. That model is much more square up front than this one, so you’re not just looking at a camouflaged 8.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Land Rover Defender PrototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
While the Jaguar brand is taking some time off to eat, pray, love, and find itself to launch the Type 01, Range Rover has its nose to the grindstone. There are loads of new and replacement vehicles arriving in the next year or two, and this is likely one of them. We expect it to expand the Defender brand downmarket slightly, while also adding electric power without alienating existing Defender customers. Some of those were already so mad about the modern Defender that they started their own car company!
This won’t be the last new model in the Defender line. JLR is in talks with Stellantis to develop and build vehicles in the US. The Defender Sport is expected in showrooms next year.
