It's ironic that an optional package removes a feature rather than adds one. That's what Land Rover is offering with the Defender 90, which can now be ordered in Europe without its rear-mounted spare wheel. The Spare Wheel Removal Kit takes away one of the SUV's signature design elements in exchange for better rear visibility and easier parking in tight spaces.

It's still the same fifth door, of course, and you can clearly see where the spare wheel used to be mounted. The rear could've looked even cleaner if Land Rover had designed a separate fifth door without spare-wheel mounting points, but that would've added cost for what is essentially a niche configuration. Instead, owners get a slightly tidier rear end without the expense of a completely redesigned door.

Removing the wheel brings a few practical benefits beyond a cleaner-looking tailgate. This configuration improves rear visibility and maneuverability in tight parking spaces. The lighter rear door also needs considerably less space to open, which should help in cramped garages and urban parking spots.

2027 Land Rover Defender Alasia Pack

Photo by: Land Rover

Owners can still fit standard bicycle carriers, so the change doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing outdoor adventures for everyday convenience. Dropping the spare wheel also shaves off some weight, albeit marginally, so don't expect any meaningful improvement in performance or efficiency.

The spare-wheel delete debuts in Europe alongside the Alasia Pack, which adds copper-colored exterior accents, giving the British off-roader a touch of visual flair without compromising its go-anywhere attitude. The styling package isn't limited to the smallest Defender; it's also available for the five-door 110 and 130 models.

Called Cyprus Copper, the new finish draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and copper's historical importance to the island of Cyprus. Alasia was the island's ancient name, and the metal the region once supplied helped shape early civilizations. Land Rover now uses it to give its modern-day off-roader a more distinctive look.

The copper finish appears on several exterior details, including the front and rear Defender lettering, the front grille bar, the side vents, and the rear towing eyes. It's a subtle change rather than a full-blown makeover, but the warm metallic accents should contrast nicely with the SUV's boxy design.

The Alasia Pack is now available to order across Europe for the Defender 90, 110, and 130. Defender hasn't disclosed pricing for the new package or the optional spare-wheel deletion kit.

For now, the Cyprus Copper finish is the first color treatment introduced under the Alasia name. Whether Defender plans to expand the package with additional finishes remains to be seen.

The new option joins the brand's growing range of customization choices, giving buyers another way to personalize an SUV that already looks distinctive straight from the factory. And if copper accents aren't enough to make your Defender stand out, at least the 90 can lose the giant wheel on its rear door.

Looking ahead, the Defender lineup could expand beyond its current 90, 110, and 130 SUVs, with a pickup truck reportedly under consideration as part of JLR's partnership with Stellantis. The proposed model would target North American buyers and could be built in the United States, helping JLR avoid the hefty tariffs imposed on imported trucks.

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However, plenty of questions remain unanswered, including which platform and powertrain the truck would use. Land Rover has declined to comment on speculation about future products, so a production version is far from a sure thing. If it happens, though, the truck would revive an old Land Rover body style and give the Defender a new way to compete in America's lucrative pickup market.

Even without a pickup, the lineup is still set to expand with a smaller Defender Sport, potentially arriving as early as next year with hybrid and fully electric powertrains. And when the next-generation, full-size Defender eventually arrives, possibly in the early 2030s, it'll also get the pure EV treatment.

More About The Defender:

Source: Land Rover

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Extracted and lightly reformatted for readability. · Source: pt