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Electric Defender in the wild: spy shots from Gaydon
A heavily camouflaged prototype believed to be the forthcoming Land Rover Defender Sport — the brand’s first fully electric Defender — was recently photographed testing outside Jaguar Land Rover’s development center in Gaydon. The mule was running alongside a Discovery, giving photographers a clear frame of reference and revealing details that confirm this is no mere concept: it’s a near-production test car for a 2027 build that could reach showrooms as a 2028 model.
Smaller than the Discovery but larger than the current Discovery Sport, the new Defender Sport strikes a balance between compact SUV agility and Defender family presence. Its upright face, steeply raked windshield and flat underbody are immediately visible even under heavy camo, while the mud on the tire sidewalls implies real-world off-road validation rather than purely road testing.
What the spy shots reveal
- Dual shark-fin antennas and a likely rear-facing camera mounted between them.
- A square, functional tailgate with the exterior handle placed close to the left taillight.
- No external spare wheel or obvious carrier hardware, reinforcing a modern EV packaging approach.
- Independent rear suspension and small mudguards at each wheel, suggesting a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability.
Look closely and you’ll see slim headlight clusters and a clamshell-style hood beneath the wrap — styling cues that aren’t final, but point to a cleaner, more aerodynamic silhouette compared with combustion Defenders.
Underpinning and powertrain: EMA and 800-volt charging
The Defender Sport will be built at Halewood and rides on Jaguar Land Rover’s Electric Motor Architecture (EMA). Designed for smaller battery-electric vehicles, EMA brings key EV advantages: an 800-volt electrical architecture for rapid charging, better thermal management for sustained performance, and packaging efficiencies that free up interior space.
Given the Defender badge and Land Rover’s product positioning, expect a dual-motor setup rather than a single-motor configuration. While official output for the Defender Sport hasn’t been released, JLR’s Range Rover Electric project is targeting roughly 542 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm), which gives a useful benchmark for what a performance-oriented Defender could aim for.
Battery and range context
Range Rover Electric reportedly uses a 117-kWh battery made from 344 double-stacked prismatic cells, with an estimated WLTP range near 330 miles (531 km). The Defender Sport will likely be lighter and more aerodynamic in the rear than its combustion counterparts, so real-world range may be competitive—though final numbers will depend on trim, wheel choice and off-road-focused configurations.
Hybrid possibility and market strategy
Jaguar Land Rover is watching market demand closely. With inconsistent demand for high-priced full-EVs in some segments, JLR has indicated it may adapt the EMA platform to accept hybrid drivetrains. That keeps the door open for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Defender Sport alongside the pure-electric variant.
Company leadership changes — outgoing CEO Adrian Mardell handing the reins to P.B. Balaji — have coincided with renewed emphasis on plug-in hybrids. If JLR offers a PHEV Defender Sport, the Ingenium straight-six is the likeliest internal-combustion partner, providing smooth performance and hybrid synergy.
"We’re preparing for a mixed future: EV-first engineering but flexibility for electrified combustion," industry insiders say — a pragmatic stance in a shifting luxury-SUV market.
Positioning and competition
The Defender Sport will compete with compact luxury electric SUVs and off-road-capable crossovers. Its Defender lineage gives it brand cachet and expected rugged utility, while EMA and 800-volt charging aim to deliver contemporary EV performance. Buyers will compare it to models from Mercedes, BMW and newer EV-focused rivals, but few carry the Defender name and its off-road credibility.
Highlights:
- Platform: EMA with 800V charging
- Likely: dual-motor AWD, independent rear suspension
- Potential battery tech: prismatic cell architecture similar to Range Rover Electric
- Manufacture: Halewood plant
Expect more definitive specs and design details as JLR ramps production planning toward 2027. For enthusiasts, the Defender Sport promises an intriguing mix of traditional capability and next-generation electric technology, tuned to the tastes of drivers who want an adventurous SUV without the emissions.
Source: autoevolution
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