BABY DEFENDER EV TO GUN FOR MERCEDES LITTLE G

Land Rover's new entry-level electric 4x4 looks on course for a 2027 launch

- FELIX PAGE AND WILL RIMELL

Land Rover is gearing up to launch a long-mooted and highly anticipated smaller entry-level Defender as a crucial new model in its electric SUV portfolio.

The rugged, compact 4x4 is rumoured to have been on the cards for several years but has never officially appeared in JLR’s product roadmap presentations.

But Autocar spy photographers have spotted the model testing for the first time, confirming development is well under way and indicating it could arrive in dealerships as soon as 2027.

These first images reveal it will have a close visual relationship with its full-sized namesake in its chunky, straight-edged proportions, but it will be a smaller, lower-riding proposition and less geared towards off-road performance.

Approached by Autocar for comment on the new images, a JLR spokesperson said: “JLR does not comment on future product programmes or speculation.”

Although the company declined to talk about the new model, the name Defender Sport appears to have been added to the Land Rover website, albeit only viewable from a search engine. This moniker would make sense because the Sport nameplate has been used to signify JLR’s more road-focused versions, such as the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Sport.