The Electric Land Rover Defender: The Future of Off-Road Adventure

28 February 2023

Fully Electric Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Defender 130 8 seater n fuji white of-roading in sand

(Land Rover, 2022).

The Land Rover Defender is one of the most iconically designed off-road vehicles on the market. It has a rugged and mechanical design and matched with its impressive capabilities, the Defender has been a favourite amongst car enthusiasts worldwide for decades. It only made sense for Land Rover to push the Defender into the future. Land Rover will start taking orders for the Electric Defender in 2025 and the release of the SUV reaching customers shortly after in 2026.

We won’t expect much to change about the design, as the 2022 shape Defender impressed the masses. The rumour is that the electrification will happen to the 2-door 90 and the long-wheelbase 130, not just the Defender 110. Due to how much positive feedback the Defender shape got in 2022, we believe that most of the work being done in the transformation will be in the battery and making sure that the performance is up to scratch with its powerful history. The only rumour of change to the design could be the infotainment screen. As Auto Express (2022) explains that the screen may be slightly larger in the Defender upgrade. With this in mind, we believe that they may put the 2022 shape Range Rover screen inside the Defender – which we cannot wait for! A lot of traditional Defender lovers may hate this, but to progress in the digital era you need to be progressive. Every other company is introducing larger screens, so it’s the only natural next step. Another element that we believe that we will see the introduction of is the increase of more sustainable materials. Land Rover looks to boost their credibility by using more eco-friendly and feasible materials.

Impressive Performance

The Land Rover Defender EV will feature a powerful electric motor that delivers instant torque and smooth, responsive acceleration. This means that the Defender EV will be able to tackle even the toughest off-road obstacles with ease, providing an incredible driving experience both on and off the road. Land Rover may be able to get better control of the electric power delivery through software management and advanced torque vectoring. Both of these elements will increase the Defender’s off-road ability further, too. The EV will have a completely flat underside, meaning that this vehicle will be able to clear greater ground.

A battery of around 100kWh will fit into the Defender with ease, this means that the Land Rover Defender EV’s full range will be something near the 300-mile mark. Meaning that you will be able to have more time exploring and less time worrying about finding a charging station.

Efficient and Sustainable

In addition to offering impressive performance and range, the Land Rover Defender EV is also incredibly efficient and sustainable. This vehicle has no emissions and a highly efficient powertrain. Meaning that this vehicle is perfect for environmentally conscious adventurers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. The EV Defender allows people to explore the world we are living in without harming it. A major step in the right direction for Land Rover.

Innovative Technology

The EV Defender will feature the latest in cutting-edge technology, including advanced driver-assist systems, a high-resolution infotainment display, and a range of connectivity features. This means that you will be able to stay connected, entertained, and informed whilst on the road. No matter where your adventure takes you. Within the last year, we got a taster for what sort of advancements Land Rover has been working on in their 2022/23 Defenders and Range Rovers, and we were all thoroughly dazzled by their capability. Something that we hope to see in the EV model is the advanced driver assistance packs. These include Blind Spot Assist, Driver Assist, Advanced Off-Road Capability, and 3D Surround Camera. It will be interesting to see how the safety and convenience of these packages will be affected when the vehicle reaches a low battery, and how the EV Defender combats/works around this issue.

The package that I’m looking forward to investigating the most regarding the issue mentioned previously is the Advanced Off-Road Capability pack. Land Rover Defenders are historically known for their rugged and tough framework and assist your driving no matter what the environment or weather. This pack included All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), Terrain Response 2, Configurable Terrain Response, and Automatic Headlight Levelling. For an optional extra of £1,070, you can have all of these features. It’s a state-of-the-art, advanced system that enables you to set and maintain a speed in challenging conditions such as driving on mud, wet grass, ice, snow, dirt roads etc. This system operates like a conventional cruise control and functions between 1mph and 18mph, helping you to have your full concentration on the road (another helpful feature that would benefit you in this scenario would be the heads-up display – which is another £1,080 extra – ). The Terrain Response has an automatic setting that monitors current driving conditions and systematically selects the most suitable terrain setting – you can manually override the system if you wish. This is an incredible system specially created for a car to be supported when put through its paces, and we cannot wait to see how this pack works alongside electric power.

Unmatched Off-Road Capabilities

The Land Rover Defender Electric will retain all the rugged off-road capabilities of its petrol-powered counterpart, offering excellent ground clearance, impressive traction control, and a range of other advanced off-road technologies. This means that you’ll be able to tackle even the toughest terrain with confidence, no matter where your adventure may take you.

This vehicle promises to be one of the most exciting and innovative vehicles of the year (2025). The LR EV is the future of off–road adventure and technology. Whether you’re exploring remote wilderness, travelling on rugged terrain, or simply looking for a more sustainable and efficient way to get around without compromising the style and framework that you want your dream car to be.