Land Rover is reportedly slowing development of the next-generation Defender, with both the full-size SUV and its planned electric variant now pushed into the 2030s. The shift comes as Jaguar Land Rover tightens spending and focuses its resources on models closer to production.
That makes the upcoming Range Rover Electric the clear priority. The luxury brand is also continuing work on the Range Rover Sport Electric, while development of a smaller “baby Defender” is expected to continue.
The company has confirmed that its first SUV based on the new Electric Modular Architecture will be a Range Rover family model, assembled at Halewood in the UK. The Range Rover Electric is scheduled to be revealed later in 2026, with production and deliveries planned to begin during the second half of JLR’s 2026–27 financial year.
Land Rover hasn’t officially confirmed the reported delays, so the exact timing remains unclear. Still, one thing is becoming increasingly obvious: the electric Range Rover comes first.
Source: The Times
