The growing trend for small off-road vehicles, exemplified by models like the Jeep Renegade and Ford Bronco Sport, is expected to prompt JLR (once known as Jaguar Land Rover) to introduce a compact version within a broader Defender family line, a recent report suggests.
Discussion regarding the so-called baby Defender has been occurring for several years, but the CEO of JLR, Adrian Mardell, has at last confirmed the company’s intentions. During a recent investor gathering, he announced that JLR’s newly developed EMA platform, engineered specifically for compact SUVs, would give birth to a Defender-branded model, as detailed by Autocar on Monday.
Overview of Land Rover Range Rover Velar
JLR announced a novel strategy in June, transforming its Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender monikers into standalone brands, aligning them alongside Jaguar. This has already been witnessed with Range Rover evolving into a sort of sub-brand encompassing models like the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Evoque, along with an actual Range Rover model.
In a similar vein, the future Defender brand might comprise the existing Defender, the upcoming baby Defender (potentially dubbed the Defender Sport), and possibly a Defender pickup truck.
The EMA platform, exclusively devised for electric drivetrains and set to be used in the baby Defender, is a shift from the original plan to make it compatible with gas engines as well. This platform is scheduled to produce its initial vehicle in 2025, which is anticipated to be a member of the Range Rover family and is believed to be the succeeding version of the Range Rover Velar.
Following this, the baby Defender is expected to be launched around 2026, as reported by Autocar.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Baby Defender
What is the Baby Defender, and when is it expected to be released?
The Baby Defender is a planned compact SUV from JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) that will be part of the Defender family line. It is being developed under the company’s new EMA platform, exclusively for electric drivetrains. According to a report by Autocar, the Baby Defender is expected to be launched around 2026.
What’s the significance of JLR’s new EMA platform?
JLR’s newly developed EMA platform is designed specifically for compact SUVs and will be used exclusively for electric powertrains. This platform is key to the launch of the Baby Defender and represents a departure from an earlier plan to support gas engines as well.
How will JLR’s brands be restructured under the new strategy?
Under JLR’s new strategy announced in June, the company will transform its Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender names into separate brands, alongside Jaguar. The future Defender brand might include models like the current Defender, the upcoming Baby Defender, and possibly a Defender pickup truck.
What other vehicles are expected to be built on the EMA platform?
The EMA platform is not only being developed for the Baby Defender but will also spawn its first vehicle in 2025, expected to be a member of the Range Rover family. It is thought to be the next-generation Range Rover Velar.
Is the Baby Defender going to be an electric vehicle?
Yes, the Baby Defender is being developed on the EMA platform, which is designed exclusively for electric powertrains. There are no plans to make it compatible with gas engines.