Land Rover is currently at work developing the
next-gen Defender and it seems the new SUV could feature an electrified
powertrain.
Land Rover said it would start offering electrified versions of its
models in the U.S. from the 2020 model year. The carmaker has failed to specify
when exactly the new Defender will arrive stateside but it could very well
launch in 2020 or later.
Complete with this knowledge, Motor Authority asked
Jaguar Land Rover North America executive vice president Chris Marchand if an
electrified powertrain will be available for the Defender. Marchand remained
coy on details, simply stating “That's as far as we're willing to go with
that.” The car manufacturer will soon launch the Range Rover Sport plug-in
hybrid complete with a 13.1-kWh battery and there’s a possibility the new
Defender could be offered with a similar powertrain. Alternatively, it may
receive a 48-volt hybrid system or could even be offered in all-electric guise.