Currently reading: Land Rover plots entry-level model
New small SUV planned to help Land Rover push in to new markets

Land Rover has started work on a new entry-level SUV, according to recent reports on Indian TV. CNBC-TV said that the new model would be aimed primarily at ‘emerging markets’ such as India and China.

Although the engineering work is taking place in the UK, a number of Tata engineers are said to be involved in the project. The car was described as the ‘smallest’ SUV yet from the company, and that it would have an engine of ‘around a 2.0-litre’ capacity.

This project may well be the “white space product”described earlier this year by Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern. He told Autocar that the vehicle would help push Land Rover into new markets. There’s no news on how it might look, but the DC100 concept could provide inspiration.

This future model may also be built in India and use components which are substantially sourced from India. Reports in the UK press today quote a source as saying JLR is ‘actively exploring the possibility of building cars from scratch in India’.

It would make sense that a new entry-level model, designed primarily to break into emerging markets, would be made locally. Indeed, JLR is thought to be planning to build a copy of its new Wolverhampton engine factory in India.

The model could also be the basis of a three-way co-operation with owners Tata and Chinese partners Chery. The same basic platform and running gear could be used to underpin cheaper Tata and Chery SUVs, while the Land Rover version could be plusher and more upmarket.

However, if Land Rover is pushing for serious volume growth, it could also re-export the car to Europe, where the market for entry-level SUVs is booming. Certainly, Land Rover and its dealers would benefit from a compact model priced against upper-end versions of the Mk3 Mini, whose line up is expected to include a proper SUV.

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Paddler Ed 4 March 2013

Positioning of the entry level LR

Never mind rivalling the MINI what about an alternative to the Suzuki Jimny and Vitara/Grand Vitara? The Freelander has gone too soft roader in comparision and the Suzuki's are the mainstay of the farmer's wives around rural areas where a Hi/Lo gearbox, reasonable clearance and compact size are keys to success. The ability to get it serviced on the farm's account at the local garage, or on the farm itself would be important, so something simple with a sub 2.0 diesel, hi/lo manual gearbox and not too big or fancy would be ideal. A 2000kg towing limit would be good, and not impossible with a seperate chassis (which means that if the body gets a bit dated then it's just a reskin onto the existing chassis) and allows a pick up version at a later date a la the Daihatsu Fourtrak (another mainstay of the rural areas)