One of the world’s most iconic off-roaders is getting a smaller, fully electric sibling. Nicknamed the "Baby Defender" or potentially the Defender Sport, the upcoming compact SUV is expected to make its global debut around 2027.

The new model represents a major turning point for the brand, as it will be the very first vehicle in Land Rover’s lineup designed from scratch as a pure electric vehicle.

Despite shedding internal combustion engines in favor of an all-electric drivetrain, the Baby Defender promises to stay true to its roots. Prototypes and early preview renders show that the boxy, rugged design language that made the full-sized Defender famous remains completely intact. In fact, recent sightings of the prototype reveal an unmistakable off-road touch: a full-sized spare wheel mounted directly onto the rear door.

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Positioned as a smaller and more agile alternative to the standard Defender, this compact SUV is built to appeal to urban buyers and trail enthusiasts alike.

By scaling down the footprint while keeping the tough design, Land Rover is taking direct aim at upcoming luxury competitors in the compact space, most notably the rumor-mill favorite "Mini-G" from Mercedes-Benz.

Given the full electric powertrain and size, we reckon this might be based on the Freelander 8, which is underpinned by Chery EV architecture and might be made in China as well. We shall find out more