Land Rover has been very active in redesigning and refreshing its SUV range lately and there were all-new models as well. The Land Rover Defender occupies the headlines now and the redesigned off-roader should be unveiled closer to the year-end. The boxy-shaped, hardcore off-roader started the journey in 1948 and axed the production in 2016 due to safety and emission problems.
The new-generation Defender will address these problems and enter the new chapter with modernized looks, interior and equipment while retaining the extreme off-road capability but with a more composed ride on paved roads. The next Defender will keep the boxy silhouette but modernize its appearance with the brand’s new styling elements seen on recently new Land Rovers. The model will also adopt independent suspension and be powered with the brand’s new turbocharged engines. The plug-in hybrid and all-electric Defender are also expected.
What is also important, Land Rover should spawn the family of the new Defenders available in different body styles and premium levels. We saw already the two- and four-door SUV prototypes with short and long wheelbase but there should also be SVR and SVX variants. What’s more, the truck-bodied version could also appear. Land Rover hinted this possibility but wasn’t specific about details. If the 2020 Land Rover Defender Truck appears it would be alternative to the recently launched Jeep Gladiator and other mid-size trucks.
2020 Land Rover Defender Truck: Design
The new Defender was spotted on several occasions lately and both two-door Defender 90 and long-wheelbase, four-door Defender 110 were caught on camera in the prototype form. The camouflage on the models can’t hide its boxy silhouette but reveals also modern approach on model’s styling.
The new-generation Defender will retain its extreme off-road capability or even improve it as Land Rover claims but won’t be as rugged as the previous versions. The model will have an upright stance as all Land Rovers and we can also detect modern styling elements from the brand’s recent SUVs. The front will adopt a slim grille version similar to the unit on the modern Land Rover and Range Rover models. The headlights will also share a similar design with these models and there will also be air vents behind the front fenders. The sharply-shaped edges and the tall and flat hood will also define the appearance of the new Defender.
If the 2020 Land Rover Defender Truck hits the market, the model will also share the same design pattern as the SUV-shaped variants but will get stretched wheelbase and short cargo bed. As the reference, the Wrangler-based truck is planted on 19-inch longer wheelbase than the four-door SUV version.
Platform:
The next Defender pretends to be a new, premium model and this Land Rover will be based on the new, mixed-material platform. This new underpinning known as Modular Longitudinal Architecture will also be the base of the next Range Rover Sport and Discovery, etc. There should be multiple benefits from using this aluminum-intensive platform including reduced weight, better ride quality and sound insulation but also the electrification of the powertrains.
Interior, equipment:
The cabin of the truck version will share the design theme with the SUV models which should adopt similar interior organization and dash design as the brand’s newest SUVs.
There should the dash with horizontally-oriented design and equipped with the large center display. The models should also offer the digitalized instrument cluster and modern infotainment features. More refinement will also be inside the cab than previously and high-comfort features and materials will also be available. The SUV versions, and truck model eventually, will also be equipped with the advanced safety systems.
2020 Land Rover Defender Truck : Powertrains
The new Defender should provide more composed on-road ride thanks to the new platform and independent suspension setup but won’t trade the capability for a more modern approach. Land Rover promises also undisputed off-road capability and model will employ multiple differential locks, low-speed transfer case, capable four-wheel drive as well as traction and terrain control systems.
The engine range should include a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine as the base powerplant. This engine should also be used with the electric setup in the plug-in hybrid version. The Defender should also come with more potent, turbocharged V-6 engine under the hood and 2.0-liter turbodiesel will also be available in specific markets. Later in the life cycle, the full-electric version should appear.
2020 Land Rover Defender Truck : Arriva, Price
The redesigned two- and four-door, SUV-shaped Defenders should debut by the end of the year. The 2020 Land Rover Defender Truck version is unconfirmed and may arrive sometime in next decade. The new Defender should start in mid-$50,000.