Land Rover Defender Pickup Truck Planned With Stellantis

Jaguar Land Rover is examining a new Defender pickup truck project with Stellantis. A future model could be built in the United States, where imported light trucks face a 25 percent tariff, giving local assembly a significant commercial advantage.

The US represents a substantial part of JLR's global business, making it a logical home for a premium pickup. The commercial case extends beyond tariffs. Pickups account for a large portion of the American vehicle market, yet the Defender currently competes there only as an SUV. A factory-built truck could open a new customer group for the brand without abandoning its off-road heritage. The model is expected to target lifestyle and luxury buyers rather than competing directly with lower-priced work trucks.

Size and Configuration

Specifics on size and body configuration have not been disclosed. The existing Defender family includes 90, 110, and 130 derivatives. A four-door crew-cab layout could align most closely with the larger members of the range. However, JLR has not confirmed overall length, bed dimensions, wheelbase, or whether the project will be a midsize or full-size pickup, leaving the comparison speculative.

Technical Foundation and Powertrains

The technical foundation presents one of the project's biggest questions. The current Defender uses a unibody architecture, but Stellantis possesses extensive truck expertise through its Ram and Jeep brands, including body-on-frame products. The eventual pickup could use modified Defender hardware, draw from an existing Stellantis truck platform, or rely on a new jointly developed structure.

Powertrain choices remain equally open. The Defender already offers petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and V8 configurations in different markets. The top-of-the-range OCTA model features a 4.4-litre twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8. Given the electrification plans of both companies, hybrid or fully electric derivatives for the pickup are possible.

Distinguishing From Existing Conversions

The reported factory project should not be confused with independent Defender pickup conversions already produced by specialist firms. For example, Urban Automotive has created the two-door Widetrack Avontur, and Heritage Customs has developed coach-built trucks based on the Defender 130. Those conversions have no connection to the potential JLR-Stellantis program. The Pickup, as a body style, has its origins as a light commercial and utility vehicle first created in the 1920s, but this new Defender model aims for a premium market segment.