It’s hard to imagine any car being more iconic than the Land Rover Defender, a stalwart of the British automotive industry for generations. Now it will get a mid-cycle refresh to include an electric model as part of the brand’s push into the electric vehicle (EV) market by the end of the decade.
Which Defender model is best?
Reports indicate the SUV’s switch to an all-electric powertrain will be a significant one, bringing with it a range of benefits to the off-roader’s on-road performance, while offering greater flexibility to its off-road abilities, too. Advanced torque vectoring capability will provide even more control over the electric power delivery, and a flat underbody can boost ground clearance from 8.6 inches to 11.5 inches.
The new electric defender P400e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is key to those changes, delivering a combination of both performance and economy that’s unrivalled in its class. With 398bhp and 472lb ft of torque, it’s quick to accelerate from a standing start and feels just as sprightly on the move as the standard gasoline-powered Defender.
It also offers impressive fuel economy, with the PHEV variant achieving a claimed average of over 300 miles per gallon in combined cycle testing. Its regenerative braking system also recuperates energy lost during deceleration and braking and sends it back into the battery pack for further use.
ECD is currently putting the finishing touches to 15 fully-electric Defenders, with a further 15 planned by the end of the year. The UK-based firm has teamed up with two US specialists, one in Vermont and the other in Texas, to offer conversion kits that can be installed by a mechanic. The kit replaces the Defender’s engine with a Tesla electric motor, which can be attached to the existing clutch bell housing, while the battery is stored in the boot.