KATHMANDU: Land Rover has confirmed plans to introduce its first fully electric Defender SUV in 2026. The new model, expected to be named the Defender Sport, will be positioned as an entry-level compact SUV under the Defender lineup.
As reported by AutoWeek, the Defender Sport will be developed on Jaguar Land Rover’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. This EV-dedicated platform will also support upcoming electric models such as the next-generation Range Rover Evoque and potentially the Discovery series.
The upcoming Defender Sport will measure approximately 4.5 meters in length, placing it in the same segment as the BMW X1. It will be slotted between the current Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque in Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) portfolio. Design cues will remain aligned with the Defender family, featuring bold styling elements such as prominent wheel arches and high ground clearance.
In an earlier statement to Autocar, JLR Chief Commercial Officer Lennard Hoornik acknowledged the development of the electric Defender posed technical challenges and had taken longer than initially expected. However, he emphasized the company’s commitment to electrifying its core brands, including Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar.
The Defender Sport will complement rather than replace the Discovery Sport, contributing to JLR’s broader electric transition strategy.
Meanwhile, JLR is preparing to launch its first all-electric Range Rover later this year. The company has reported strong early interest, with over 61,000 customer reservations already in place.
Jaguar Land Rover is a subsidiary of Tata Motors, the Indian automotive conglomerate.
