Land Rover Defender Pickup Reportedly Coming: What We Know So Far

A modern Land Rover Defender pickup could finally be on the way. Recent reports suggest JLR is working with Stellantis on a Defender-branded pickup aimed mainly at the US market.

The vehicle has not yet been officially confirmed. However, JLR and Stellantis signed an agreement in May 2026 to explore joint product and technology development in the United States. JLR later confirmed that the partnership would focus on new Defender products for American customers.

Reports now suggest a pickup could be one of the first models to emerge from this collaboration.

Could It Be Based On The Defender 110?

The current Defender 110 is the most obvious starting point. It measures around 5,018mm in length including the rear-mounted spare wheel and uses a 3,022mm wheelbase. 

Unlike traditional pickups, however, the Defender uses JLR’s aluminium D7x monocoque architecture rather than a separate ladder-frame chassis. This gives JLR several possible ways to create a pickup.

Defender 110 Double-Cab Pickup

The simplest approach would be to retain the Defender 110’s front section, four doors and five-seat cabin, while replacing the rear luggage compartment with an open load bed.

However, because the body is structural, JLR cannot simply remove the rear roof. The chassis and rear structure would need significant reinforcement.

Defender 110 With A Longer Rear Section

Another possibility would be to keep the 110’s existing wheelbase but extend the body behind the rear axle.

Land Rover already does something similar with the Defender 130, which shares the 110’s 3,022mm wheelbase but uses a longer body.

This could create more space for a practical load bed, although a longer rear overhang could affect the departure angle during off-road driving.

Longer-Wheelbase Defender Pickup

JLR could also develop a longer wheelbase specifically for the pickup. Moving the rear axle further back would allow space for both a full double cab and a larger cargo bed while keeping the rear overhang relatively short.

This would require more engineering but could create a more traditional pickup layout.

Could It Use A Stellantis Pickup Platform?

JLR could also take a completely different route. Stellantis already has extensive pickup experience through Ram and has developed the STLA Frame platform for large body-on-frame SUVs and pickup trucks.

A Defender pickup could potentially use Stellantis architecture underneath a Defender-designed body. This could provide greater payload, towing and cargo flexibility.

However, no confirmation exists that a Ram platform, STLA Frame, or any existing Stellantis chassis will be used.

What Engines Could It Use?

No powertrain has been confirmed. Possible options include six-cylinder petrol engines, hybrid powertrains, a V8 performance version or even electric and range-extender technology.

The current Defender 110 can tow up to 3,500kg and offers up to 900mm of wading capability, so the pickup would likely need to maintain strong towing and off-road credentials.

What Happens Next?

The Defender pickup remains a reported project rather than a confirmed production model. There is currently no official launch date, specification, pricing or UAE availability.

The biggest question is whether JLR will modify the existing Defender 110 architecture, create an extended Defender platform or use Stellantis technology to develop a completely different pickup underneath.

For now, the project points towards one of the biggest expansions of the Defender range in years.

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*All images used in the article are generated and used for representation purposes only