A new small Land Rover EV has been spotted testing in Germany, offering the clearest look yet at the British brand’s upcoming compact model, which could be called the Defender Sport. The prototype reveals more production-ready details while pointing to a rugged, electric addition expected to expand the Defender lineup.
A More Complete Prototype Emerges
The new small Land Rover has been seen testing on public roads before, but this prototype appears to be further along in the development process and reveals several additional details.
Production-ready headlights and taillights are visible beneath heavy camouflage. A panoramic glass roof can also be seen, although it remains unclear from this prototype whether the roof will open.
Roof rails appear for the first time, a feature absent from earlier prototypes and one suited to the vehicle’s rugged positioning. A hatch-mounted spare tire is also new and adds to the model’s off-road-inspired appearance.
EMA Platform Could Support Future Hybrid Models
The new model is likely to use JLR’s EMA, or Electrified Modular Architecture, platform, which it is expected to share with the upcoming Range Rover GT and potentially other future electric vehicles from the brand.
The electric platform gives Range Rover the flexibility to create the GT’s long-nose design, while allowing a different proportion for this smaller model. The platform is also expected to support hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in the future.
Freelander Clues Appear on the Prototype
The design does not immediately resemble the Defender, at least based on the details currently visible. Instead, the prototype appears closer to a modern interpretation of the Land Rover Freelander, which was sold in the U.S. from 1997 through 2006.
Blue “FL” lettering visible on the wheels suggests the Freelander name may be used internally. While the markings could refer to “front left,” the other wheels are not marked in the same way, though the name is not considered likely to reach production.
Defender Sport Name Expected Over Freelander
The new compact model is expected to be called the Defender Sport or something similar rather than Freelander, as JLR is already using the Freelander name.
JLR revived the Freelander marque for a joint venture with Chery in China and has already revealed a production-intent Freelander 8 electrified SUV. That vehicle has a much squarer front-end design than the camouflaged prototype, indicating this is not simply a disguised Freelander 8.
Part of a Broader Wave of New Models
While Jaguar is preparing to launch the Type 01, Range Rover has multiple new and replacement vehicles expected to arrive over the next year or two. The new small Land Rover is likely to be among them, expanding the Defender brand slightly downmarket while introducing electric power without alienating existing Defender customers.
This is not expected to be the final new model in the Defender lineup. JLR is also in talks with Stellantis to develop and build vehicles in the U.S., while the Defender Sport is expected to arrive in showrooms next year.
