The internal-combustion models sold by all of Land Rover’s three so-called ‘brand pillars’ – Range Rover, Discovery and Defender – will be available in only mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms by 2025.
Autocar can also reveal the MLA-based models will have a new SOTA (software over the air) capability, with 14 ‘modules’ in the vehicle’s electrical architecture that are connected to the internet.
JLR says the new SOTA set-up will allow it to reduce warranty claims, avoid the need for some recalls, offer predictive servicing and even user-based insurance. Over-the-air feature upgrades for MLA models are also being planned, as well as “in-vehicle rewards and payments”. JLR is hoping to use data generated by real-world use of the new vehicles to inform future model development, too.
The first all-new JLR model is the Defender, which will arrive later this year and be made at the new Nitra plant in Slovakia. This is a challenging project for the British car maker because it is a new model, based on a new architecture and built in a new factory with a relatively new workforce. But as Autocar’s scoops have revealed, the new three-model Defender range has huge potential in the lucrative market for premium family SUVs.
The electric XJ, first reported by Autocar in 2015, replaces the outgoing XJ saloon, which has just ended a decade-long production run at the Castle Bromwich plant near Birmingham.
The new model – due in around 12 months – is expected to be an unashamed super-luxury car in the mould of more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class variants (setting it well apart from the ageing Tesla Model S), while also being more driver orientated.
JLR will be hoping that the XJ steals a march on premium EV rivals, offering a zero-emission luxury vehicle that’s ideal for East Asian megacities. Later on, plug-in petrol-electric versions of the XJ will be launched.

Next up at the remodelled Castle Bromwich plant will be the Jaguar J-Pace, which will be larger and more upmarket than the F-Pace. The J-Pace is also expected to be offered as a pure EV and is unlikely to be made public until early 2021.
The upcoming fifth member of the Range Rover family, due in late 2021 and scooped by Autocar in 2017, is also based on the MLA platform. It’s described on JLR documents as a “medium SUV” and is expected to sit between the Evoque and Velar.
It will be more road orientated and its smaller frontal area will ensure it will be the most economical member of the Range Rover family as well as the first all-electric Range Rover. Despite JLR registering the historic Road Rover nameplate, there’s no news on what name the showroom version will take.
Join the debate
rare
Such a shame the defender won
Such a shame the defender won’t be made in the UK.
sabre
A true survival bid
A true survival bid should stress better reliability of the brand. Five new cars in two years make it difficult for JLR
Ibbo1966
Defender Architecture
skierpage
nothing over 4 cylinders
CharlieBrown
Ah no not more complications to the JLR model range
Ah no not more complications to the already crowded JLR model range with their product planners going after so called “white space” in the market but which really means more mediocre vehicles which result in sales cannibalisation not growth
Peter Cavellini
Buck time?!
So they might not be made here, they will still be a British brand, the XJ and J- pace look good if the get made as is in the pics, they’re way more interesting to look at than an Audi or BMW...
lambo58
You are having a laugh right?
You are having a laugh right?
Tata and that Chinese company own this Dog lock stock and so on.
Gawd
Citytiger
lambo58 wrote:
What Chinese company would that be?
Do you realise that the biggest Daimler Benz share holder is a Chinese company, does that mean the Mercedes is a Chinese company?
Your user name Lambo, is that meant to imply that well know Germany company Lamborghini, or is it because you are a baby sheep with the 58 being your IQ?
lambo58
Chery. Look it up
Chery.
Look it up
lambo58
Lambo is part of my Surname
Lambo is part of my Surname you twit.
58 is 57 points above your IQ
Pages
Add your comment