The 2020 Land Rover Defender has landed in India, a
spy shot posted by Team-BHP forum member DeClutch 4X4 has revealed. The
prototype is in the hands of Tata Consultancy Services, which means that it's
here just for component testing.
The Land Rover Defender is expected to retain its
bare-basic, old-school characteristics post the long overdue full model change.
Along with the clearly evident boxy body, it should have a high-set bonnet,
squarish windows, plain door design, straight shoulder line and roofline, more
pronounced wheel arches, leading to a tough yet utilitarian design. While there
will be hints of the previous generation model, the design will be drastically
different and way more contemporary, according to Land Rover's Design Director
Gerry McGovern. Like the Jeep Wrangler, it should come in 2-door SWB and 4-door
LWB versions, and the family may include even a pickup truck at a later stage.
On the inside, expect the new Defender to feature a
large infotainment screen, a fully digital instrument cluster and a chunky
multifunction steering wheel along with a host of comfort and convenience
features offered in other modern-day Land Rovers. Reports say that it shares
the D7u platform with the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover Sport and Range
Rover. In terms of engine expectations, the new Defender should run on a
2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel units as well as a 3.0-litre
six-cylinder petrol unit featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology - all from
the Ingenium family.
The design and development of the all-new Defender
have been done at JLR's Gaydon base in the UK. Its production will commence at
the company's new £1 billion manufacturing plant in Slovakia in early 2020. Expect the 2020 Land Rover
Defender to be launched in the Indian market by early 2021.
