Land Rover To Introduce "Baby" Defender Model

The new2021 Land Rover Defenderis a long-awaited return of an iconic vehicle. The Defender's launch was anything but smooth due to the global pandemic, but the new SUV is nowarriving at dealerships, while Land Rover ismaking a major recovery. Now that the Defender is back, it seems hard to believe that Land Rover won't take advantage of the model's name recognition to build a second variant.

Much like the new Ford Bronco, which arrived alongside a more affordable and mainstream Bronco Sport model, Land Rover won't be content to offer just one Defender model. In a report about upcoming Jaguar and Land Rover products, WhatCar reports that a smaller, "baby" Defender model will arrive in 2022.

This is not the first time we've heard a rumor about theexpansion of the Defender lineup. The Defender could grow to become its own sub-brand within Land Rover, much like the Range Rover lineup. This expansion would begin with a more compact model with less space, less equipment, and a smaller engine. That engine would likely be a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder (the same one in the new Evoque plug-in hybrid), sending power to the front wheels. All-wheel-drive versions would also be available as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.