Land Rover is developing a compact SUV, potentially named Defender Sport, with a market debut scheduled for 2027. Recent spy photos captured near the Nurburgring facility show a prototype featuring a rectangular box mounted on the rear door, which may serve as storage for charging cables or a tire repair kit.
The vehicle is built on the EMA platform, which supports both electric and hybrid powertrains. While the platform features 800-volt architecture for electric models, Land Rover has adapted it to accommodate conventional full hybrid systems instead of plug-in hybrids to better suit the United States market.
The decision to prioritize hybrid technology over pure electric variants reflects shifting demand in the US, whereas the electric version is expected to see higher adoption in Europe. The upcoming model will compete directly with the smaller G-Class currently under development by Mercedes-Benz.
