Land Rover could convert its Defender preview concept - the DC100 - into its own standalone model, which would be the cheapest in the company's range.
First unveiled during the summer of 2011, the DC100 concept was originally a design study for future development of a viable and modern successor to the iconic Defender workhorse, a rugged 4x4 popular with farmers and the military.
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Earlier this month an updated version of the DC100 was unveiled to the public at the 2012 New York Auto Show, as Land Rover continues to explore design directions for a future Defender.
The final version of the all-new Defender is set to reach production in 2015, and just last week Land Rover's Brand Director, John Edwards, said it could become the company's top-selling model.
However, reports now indicate that Land Rover is now also seriously considering carrying the design of the DC100 concept onto a new separate entry-level production model.
It's been rumoured that a production version of the DC100 would likely be built as a compact crossover SUV, rather than as an all-out offroader like the Defender.
This car would share the same platform as the compact Range Rover Evoque, and measure just 4.3m long - making it a direct rival to other smaller crossovers such as the Nissan Juke, Skoda Yeti and Mini Countryman.
While the Land Rover DC100 concept shown at New York carries a V8 petrol engine, it is widely reported that final production versions will use 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel units.
These engines will be built at a new forthcoming engine factory in Wolverhampton, will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and will likely feature stop-start technology.
No official word on pricing has been given but it's reported a production-ready DC100 could cost in a region between £20,000 and £25,000.
This could undercut the starting price of a Range Rover Evoque and put the DC100 in a similar price bracket to the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman.