Land Rover Defender goes electric

Land Rover released a few concept pictures of a radical-looking Defender some time ago. The design team has been earning its cash again, this time developing a sparky alternative to the go-anywhere 4×4.

Yes, it’s another zero emissions electric car. Out goes the Defender’s (kind of) reliable diesel block and gearbox. In its place, a 70kW (94hp) motor and 300-volt lithium-ion battery, enough to propel you 50 miles, we’re told. The recharging process takes four hours with a fast charger, or 10 hours using a 3kW portable charger – so pack your sleeping bag.

Weight, surprisingly, is only 100kg more than the Defender 110’s 2t, even though the battery weighs 400kg.

Stuff from Geneva

It’s the Geneva Motor Show at the minute which means, aside from being bombarded with press releases, there are a few new cars on the market.

One of those is the Octavia Estate, Skoda’s mighty popular all-rounder. Prices start from £16,790 for a modest 1.2-litre petrol and top-out at just over £24,000 for the posh one.

Other new four-wheel-drive launches include the small Suzuki SX4, the love-it-or-hate-it Ssangyong Rodius and another budget motor from Dacia – the Logan estate.