Every upcoming Land Rover previewed
Land Rover is planning to introduce seven new models in the next three years. Here's everything you need to know about them...
The term ‘luxury off-roader’ might seem to be an oxymoron, but the combination has been a winning recipe for Land Rover for much of its recent history.
Now, as we approach the UK-wide ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, Land Rover will need to tweak its recipe further as it enters the electric vehicle era – and the manufacturer has been busy designing new models to do just that.
Here's everything we know so far about all the upcoming new Land Rover car models.
Range Rover Sport
On sale Early 2023
Much like the new Range Rover, the third-generation Range Rover Sport looks set to take a more evolutionary approach with its redesign. Based on the same underpinnings as its sibling, the new Sport will be sold with the same petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine options. The PHEV should be able to travel around 65 miles on electric power alone, and the petrol and diesel engines will consist of the company’s new mild-hybrid (MHEV) straight-six units.
What’s more, a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the BMW X6 M is also set to feature in the new SVR model, where it is expected to have a power output of up to 650bhp. A detuned 523bhp version of the same engine also features in the Range Rover, with Land Rover re-engineering it to better suit its products.
A fully electric version of the new Sport is also be on the way. No details have been revealed yet, but we expect it to have a dual-motor set-up and a battery capacity of around 100kWh. Official range should be in the region of 300 miles, which would bring it in line with the 257 miles that the BMW iX xDrive40 offers in official tests.
As with today's Range Rover Sport, the new car will be available as a seven-seater and we can expect the interior to match the plushness of the full-size Range Rover’s. It will feature the latest Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system, which combines touch-sensitive controls for primary functions, and rotary dials for the climate controls and driving modes.
The new Range Rover Sport is due to be unveiled later this year, with first deliveries expected in early 2023. Prices will start at around £70,000, which is a slight rise from the current model, which costs from £64,685.
Defender 130
On sale Early 2023
With demand for the new Land Rover Defender growing by the day, it was only a matter of time before Land Rover decided to create another variant of the popular off-roader.
The Defender 130 will be the most spacious offering in the Defender line-up, with seating for up to eight passengers. That's one more than the 110, which has seating for up to seven with the optional third row.
The 130’s added length and space is not being achieved by increasing the distance between the front and rear wheels. Instead, Land Rover has decided to enlarge the rear overhang to give third-row passengers more leg room. Boot space should be significantly improved over the 110, which has limited cargo space with its third-row seats in place.
It’s likely that the eighth seat will take the form of a 'jump seat' between the driver and front passenger (currently available as an option on five-seat Defenders) or a small middle seat in the third row.
The engine line-up in the Defender 130 will be similar to the 90 and 110, which have a range of straight-six petrol and diesel engines. A plug-in hybrid should be available, but is likely to have a slightly shorter range than the official 27 miles of the Defender 110 plug-in. The range-topping 518bhp 5.0-litre V8 should make it to the line-up too.
A pick-up variant of the 130 is believed to be on the cards, but no prototype vehicles have been spotted yet so watch this space.
Electric Range Rover
On sale Early 2024
Land Rover has confirmed that its first fully electric car will be a version of the new Range Rover. No other details have been released, but we can expect it to have a battery size in the region of 110kWh, and it should be able to beat the 292-mile official range of the Jaguar I-Pace.
Range Rover Evoque
On sale 2024
Development for the third-generation Range Rover Evoque is well under way, and the new model will help move the company’s current line-up into the electric era.
As a result, there will be no purely petrol or diesel powered variants under the bonnet. Instead, the new Evoque will get a selection of range-extender hybrid and fully electric models to choose from.
A range-extender hybrid is essentially an electric car propelled by motors that also has a small combustion engine that kicks in to charge the battery if it runs out. The car is never directly powered by the engine.
The new Evoque will also feature bespoke new underpinnings, which means that Land Rover will be able to rework the shape of the car to maximise interior space.
Fully electric versions will crown the line-up, and we can expect even the cheapest versions to eclipse the range of the Jaguar I-Pace, which can travel up to 292 miles on a single charge. This improved range will be achieved using more advanced battery technology and improved efficiency of the electric motors (which will be developed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover).
As with the current Evoque, we can expect the interior to be available with leather and vegan-friendly material options, as well as a range of technical upgrades over the current car. This will include Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, plus semi-autonomous driving assistance systems. Software improvements will also include the ability to upgrade the car’s infotainment system with new features (at extra cost) using a smartphone app.
Discovery Sport
On sale 2024
As with the third-generation Evoque, development of the second-generation Land Rover Discovery Sport is well under way – and that’s largely because both cars will be sharing the same underpinnings. The new Discovery Sport will feature the same range-extender hybrid and pure-electric set-ups, with no purely petrol or diesel engines available.
The small combustion engine for the range-extender is rumoured to be a 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit. We can expect the range for the range-extender and the fully electric version to be competitive with the Mercedes EQB electric SUV, which can officially go up to 257 miles.
Inside, the Discovery Sport should be much more spacious than the current model (especially for third-row passengers), again thanks to the bespoke electric underpinnings. Interior and technical upgrades should be in line with the new Evoque's.
High-end Defender
On sale Late 2024
Plans at Jaguar Land Rover have been shaken up in the wake of a new product plan known as Reimagine, which was set out by the company’s new CEO, Thierry Bolloré. As a result, plans for a ‘baby Defender’ (the Defender Sport) and fully-electric ‘Road Rover’ (based on the I-Pace) have been thrown out.
Bolloré wants Land Rover and Jaguar to be more distinct from each other, and wants both brands to move further upmarket. To achieve this, a high-end Land Rover Defender is rumoured to be on the cards – and the variant will get the same underpinnings as the new Range Rover.
This means that straight-six mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines will be available, as well as plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. We can also expect there to be seating for up to seven passengers.
With pricing for the standard Defender currently starting at £45,675, a new luxurious Defender will be priced significantly higher, at around £60,000.
Discovery 6
On sale 2025
With the Defender moving more up market, the Land Rover Discovery will need a significant reinvention for its next generation. This is not only so it can stay relevant in the Land Rover line-up, but also to make it stand out in the luxury SUV segment.
While there’s little information out there on the sixth-generation Discovery, we expect it to be based on the same underpinnings as the new Range Rover. Its rumoured release date is only five years ahead of the UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, so it is likely to be powered by a plug-in hybrid and fully electric set-up.
One area where the new Discovery will distinguish itself from the Defender is with practicality, and we can expect it to be much more spacious inside. The current car’s single tailgate design could be replaced with the split tailgate seen on early versions.
The interior will aim to bridge the gap between the Land Rover Defender and the Range Rover, becoming more luxury-oriented than utilitarian. Tech will be a high priority with the sixth-generation Discovery, and it is likely to feature the latest semi-autonomous driving systems and over-the-air software upgrades.
Read more: New cars coming soon
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
