Here's the First Photographic Evidence a New Land Rover Defender is in the Works
Spy photographers have caught an early test mule for the 2019 Land Rover Defender on public roads.
Although the front and rear ends of the prototype look like a camouflaged Range Rover Sport, the side profile tells a different story. Land Rover has shortened the wheelbase quite a bit, with basically half its rear doors remaining. Along with the short wheelbase, we can see Land Rover is testing a good level of ground clearance with very short front and rear overhangs. In addition, how the front bumper is placed and the tucked exhaust in the rear suggests promising approach and departure angles.
SEE ALSO: Land Rover Defender Will Return to North America
According to our spy photographers and their source, expect the new Defender to use suspension based on either the Range Rover or Range Rover Sport, while the rear suspension will be an all-new design. Based on what we can see, the Defender mule is sporting an independent rear suspension, compared to the current solid beam rear axle.
The big question remains whether the new Defender will continue being body-on-frame, or if it will move to a unibody design, possibly with Jaguar Land Rover’s aluminum architecture. The good news is, it appears Land Rover will stick to keeping the Defender a rugged, off-road SUV.
The timing of the first Defender sighting is peculiar, coming just shortly after the public debut of the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
Update: Our spy photographers have sent over additional photos showing a separate, long-wheelbase prototype testing. That suggests the new Defender will also be offered as a four-door variant, consistent with past models and current rumors.
Discuss this story on our Land Rover Defender Sport Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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What a pile of junk. Does JLR think they can "fool" people by jacking up a unibody crossover and calling it a "Defender?" Even FCA...which is peddling garbage Fiat and Alpha car platforms as "Jeeps" knows better than mess too much with the Wrangler. As we can see, the 2018 Wrangler manages to keep solid front and rear axles, coil suspension, a boxed separate frame, and iconic square good looks. JLR thinks they can just take an existing platform and shorten it up a bit and make it taller...call it a Defender and we're done. Stupid.
No thanks. Spent years waiting for a Defender to come back onshore...only to see these extremely disappointing images. Until JLR decides to go back to its roots and design something with nostalgia, I'm happy to keep my Rubicon.