A Baby G-Wagen Rival Is Definitely Coming

Years ago, Ford did the smart thing and brought back its off-road fighter in the Bronco SUV, but its cleverness came in introducing a more affordable, softer, and more road-oriented version with similar styling, dubbed the Bronco Sport. Those two models cover a lot of bases in terms of capability, comfort, and style. Now, it looks like JLR will be copying the strategy with a new Defender model. An all-new mysterious SUV has been spied testing by Jaguar Land Rover, with the smart money on it being a long-rumored Defender Sport midsize SUV.

A Copycat Could Be A Winner

First, Autocar reports that the “Defender Sport” name shows up on some JLR websites through the results of a search engine, but CarBuzz could not immediately confirm it; the name appears to have been included on the sites in error. The “Sport” moniker would suggest JLR is copying Ford a little too literally. No other confirmed details have emerged, and the automaker declined to comment on future vehicle speculation.

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That didn’t stop Autocar from also getting spy photos of the new model testing in camouflage. The test vehicle reveals chunky dimensions that are smaller overall than the current Defender, but still with clear Defender styling elements around the nose. Artificial body cladding masks the side and rear surfaces pretty well, however.

What To Expect From The Baby Defender

Still, it’s clear this should be more of a road-going, comfort-oriented model and less of a fully capable rock-climbing off-roader like its bigger sibling. It’s speculated that this new Defender Sport model could end up replacing the aging Discovery Sport SUV in the lineup, which has not had a replacement announced yet. The Discovery range is said to be in development to further differentiate the brand from the more successful Defender line.

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The new Defender Sport could go fully electric, or get a gas hybrid setup as well, and will be based on the automaker’s new 800-volt EMA platform. That will be shared with the upcoming Range Rover Evoque and Velar models, which should come before this new Defender. The Halewood plant in the UK that it will be assembled in will source motors in-house and batteries from Tata group, with a recent half-billion dollar investment for the electrification of future models produced at the plant.

The new midsize Defender will face competition in Europe from the likes of the Dacia Bigster or Skoda Kodiaq, and in the U.S. it will face the likes of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport, naturally. Mercedes is also hard at work on a new “baby” G-Wagen off-road SUV that will also likely compete here.

Source: Autocar