Land Rover will offer the upcoming, all-new Defender in China; which,
given the fact that, despite the recent slowdown, this is now the world’s
largest car market, really is not that much of a surprise.
In fact, the new
SUV might play a big role in reversing JLR’s fortunes in the country, as the
British group saw its sales nosedive due a number of factors. This, however, is
not all: according to AutoNews, Land Rover said in a presentation to investors
that the Defender will be offered with “China-specific features”, without
elaborating further.
The 2020 Defender,
which is described by its maker as “tough, capable, and unstoppable”, will also
be sold in the U.S. JLR is planning both ICE and
electrified powertrains for it, including a plug-in hybrid version that will
join the range some point after its launch.
In April, Land
Rover announced that it will be produced alongside the Discovery at its plant
in Nitra, Slovakia. Thanks to the numerous sightings of camouflaged test cars,
we know that the new Defender will retain a rugged square look and, like its
iconic predecessor, will be available in both three- and five-door, short- and
long-wheelbase versions. JLR wants the new Defender to rival the likes of the
Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Land Cruiser, upcoming Ford Bronco and not just the “good
for tarmac, pretty useless off it” myriads of other SUVs out there.
The new Defender is
based on a modified version of the MLA platform, which also underpins the new
Discovery and Range Rover Sport. It’s expected to make its world debut at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with sales starting in early 2020.
