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Land Rover’s Affordable Defender Mini-Me is Actually Happening

Spy shots of a test mule surfaced, clearly depicting a small, squarish and rugged-looking SUV.

Front view of a black Land Rover Defender with a prominent grille and illuminated circular headlight, captured in a dramatic low-angle black and white photograph.Land Rover USA
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By Chris Chin

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It looks like Land Rover’s new rumored Defender mini-me is coming to fruition. Spy shots recently surfaced of a test mule running about, thanks to our friends at Britain’s AutoCar.

The prototype was caught driving around on UK soil, supposedly not far from the automaker’s HQ in Coventry. While it appears heavily camouflaged — as most prototypes are in their early developmental stages — some obvious details can still be made out.

The new mini-Defender certainly looks more compact

A camouflaged SUV is drifting on a snowy surface at sunset, kicking up a large spray of snow behind it. The vehicle has a boxy shape with distinctive headlights and a UK license plate reading "VK68 DZW." The sky is a vibrant orange, creating a dramatic backdrop.
Compared to the current Defender 90’s original prototype, the new car in the spy shots is obviously smaller.
Land Rover USA

The current Land Rover Defender is easily distinguishable from its competitors, thanks to its clean, boxy shape and midsize proportions. When visibly compared to the prototype in AutoCar’s spy photos, one can obviously see that the new car is considerably smaller in nearly every dimension.

But the Defender’s overall squarish design theme clearly remains. Such details include the very upright and flat-roofed greenhouse, and vertical trunk line drop-off.

Black off-road SUV driving on a narrow, rocky dirt path surrounded by green moss and rugged terrain. The vehicle has a spare tire mounted on the rear door and distinctive square-shaped taillights. The environment appears to be a mountainous or hilly area with scattered rocks and patches of grass.
The new Defender mini-me looks to inherit the standard model’s boxy shape.
Land Rover USA

The vehicle’s front-end isn’t as boxy, as exhibited by the roundish and protruding front fender and curved bonnet. It rather appears to incorporate some of the elements from the current Range Rover models.

Land Rover’s answer to Mercedes-Benz’s inbound baby Gelandewagen

Judging the by size of the prototype and the rumors surrounding this new Defender mini-me, all roads point to a successor to the Range Rover Evoque. The latter is one of Land Rover’s oldest models, having launched in 2018.

Rear side view of a black SUV with a mounted spare tire on the back, featuring rugged off-road tire tread and sleek, modern taillights against a plain white background.
It’s unknown if the trunk-mounted spare will be included in the new model.
Land Rover USA

Although it’s withstood the test of time, the Evoque is overdue for a replacement. Other rumors suggest it could also act as a replacement for the Discovery Sport.

The other alternative outcome is that it’s a standalone affordable entry into the Defender lineup. But no confirmation exists regarding any of these prospects.

Black off-road SUV climbing a steep, rocky terrain, shown from the rear side with rugged tires and distinctive square-shaped rear lights.
Off-road capabilities will still be a major feature with the new small Defender.
Land Rover USA

AutoCar reports that they saw Land Rover briefly upload a graphic on their homepage with the name, “Defender Sport” on it. This suggests the new model could be branded as such.

The Defender mini-me will be the brand’s second EV

View from inside a vehicle showing hands on a steering wheel, a digital dashboard displaying speed and other metrics, and a touchscreen navigation system. Outside the windshield, a narrow, rocky dirt road is visible between steep rock walls, with a misty or foggy atmosphere.
The new small Defender’s interior will likely be very simple, yet, tech-forward, like the current model.
Land Rover USA

What is confirmed, however, is the fact that this new small Defender will be the brand’s second EV. It’s a part of Jaguar-Land Rover’s electrification strategy and is expected to launch after the incoming Range Rover Electric.

But despite the push towards electric vehicles, last year, Jaguar-Land Rover announced an about-face. Instead of going all-in on EVs, the company is making a similar move to other automakers and focusing more on plug-in hybrids.

Black Land Rover Defender parked on a rocky, uneven terrain with steep rock piles on either side, under a bright, overcast sky. The vehicle is facing forward with its headlights on, highlighting its rugged design and off-road tires.
Rumors suggest the new model could be called the “Defender Sport.”
Land Rover USA

Word has it the new electrified model will utilize Land Rover’s new MLA modular platform, destined to underpin the new all-electric Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

However, there’s no current indication as to whether the new small Defender EV will utilize a plug-in hybrid powertrain for diversification.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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