It is coming: Land Rover approves Defender 130

Defender 130 will provide seating for seven but no mention of an open rear deck was made.

Land Rover Defender’s grille.

With Land Rover having confirmed last month that a bakkie version of the new Defender could become a reality, a new report from Europe has confirmed the long wheelbase 130 will be making a comeback within the next 12 to 18 months.

Confirming two reports from 2019, Automotive News Europesays the 130, whose name originally denoted its length in inches similar to the 90 and 110 models, will instead measure 5 100 mm or 201 inches in overall length, while keeping the same wheelbase as the 110.

Unlike the previous 130, the newcomer will provide seating for seven and not eight as previously suggested, but seemingly won’t come with an open rear deck like the original as no mentioning was made. Expected, though, is the same range of engines and possibly even the recently introduced V8 as the 90 and 110.

“We are very attentive in the way we are preparing the next portfolio of products. We are making sure we are stretching upwards enough and distinguishing the products and these families enough to make sure there is no confusion,” Land Rover CEO Thierry Bollore was quoted by the online publication as saying.

Set to bring the Defender line-up to three, Jaguar-Land Rover head of design Gerry McGovern has, however, hinted that more models could arrive after the 130.

“When we launched the Defender, we talked about a family of Defenders; coupe, five-door and now 130. We are looking at what we can do with that brand because with a relatively small investment we can increase its appeal. I’m absolutely convinced Defender will become a power brand in itself,” McGovern said.

The surprise announcement comes on the back of JLR announcing this week that future models using its MLA platform had been cancelled as it aims to cut costs in order to return not only to profitability, but also focus on making Jaguar an all-electric marque by 2025.

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