Autocar website

Land Rover is considering building a baby SUV. It would be sold across the world and make the brand the premium contender in a market niche that is set to rocket in popularity.

Land Rover’s global brand director, John Edwards, confirmed recently that such 
a model is being examined by the firm’s product planners.

“I can see a sub-compact SUV working in all markets… and I don’t see a reason not to do it in the future,” he said. However, Edwards also cautioned that he has yet to see a convincing proposition for the new model.

If it gets the green light, the new Land Rover is expected to be about four metres long (30cm shorter than today’s Evoque). Some sources say it would be based on a bespoke platform likely to be shared with Jaguar Land Rover’s Indian owner, Tata, and new Chinese partner Chery.

Hilton Holloway's blog - the baby SUV sector that is set to boom

Indian sources say Tata engineers are leading the work on a new generation of diesel and petrol engines sized at 1.4 and 1.6 litres, which could be used in the baby SUV. The 1.6 could also be used by Jaguar.

Pricing for the baby Land Rover is expected to start at £18,000. That will put it at the top end of the segment, making it more expensive than the Mini Countryman and slotting under the next-generation Freelander, which is likely to be priced from £23,000. Entry models are likely to be front-wheel drive.

The baby Land Rover’s styling is expected to be a further development of the theme launched by the DC100 concept cars. It will also be influenced by the look of the all-new Defender, which, Autocar understands, has already been signed off for production.

According to figures 
from analysts at Credit Suisse, global sales of B-segment SUVs from established manufacturers are set to rocket from last year’s total of one million units to more than 2.5 million units in 2020. It’s a niche that Land Rover cannot ignore.

The new SUV could be the first Land Rover to be built entirely abroad. The company is reported to be “actively” investigating sourcing a model solely from India.

Tata’s Del Sehmar has been quoted as saying that JLR has “ambitious” plans to expand production globally.

JLR is investing £1.1 billion in a new Chinese factory with Chery. It has also revealed plans to source aluminium from Saudi Arabia and is working on a project to press panels and eventually build cars there. South America is being eyed up for a production project, too.

“We have a lot of aspirations for India,” said Edwards, “but that is all they are at present. Our expansion plans are very clear. We have a joint venture in China, which is approved, so we are working hard with Chery and then looking at three priorities to expand our global footprint: India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

“We continue to look at opportunities for a smaller, cheaper Land Rover but — if we did it — it certainly wouldn’t be exclusive to India. It would have to work in other markets.”

The firm is looking at 
“all opportunities to grow 
Land Rover”, he said. “The SUV segment is the fastest-expanding sector. There’s room for crossovers, pick-ups, small sub-compact SUVs. We are definitely looking at opportunities, but we haven’t decided yet on small cars.

“The DNA of the brand is a car that can go from A to B in any conditions, so that means every car we plan will be a global one. But a baby Land Rover has got to work for the business as well as the brand, and I’m still waiting to see a business proposition that works. I need to be convinced.” 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

Hold fire with getting the bunting out, a reason why it won't be happening too soon though:

"However, Edwards also cautioned that he has yet to see a convincing proposition for the new model."

[quote="GJH0702"]Autocar website

Land Rover is considering building a baby SUV.

I bought Autocar magazine because of the claim and picture of the 'New Baby Land Rover' that is going to be built. After reading the article inside it turned out to be written by someone whose previous job was writing fairy tales. Someone at JLR muted the idea of a small suv and that's as far as it got.

That'll never happen...because the 18k 4x4's of today will be 25k 4x4's in 10 years time...if they even do it.

Apparently a Polo can cost 18k now as well  Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Just hit £30k on the Yeti configurator (2.0 DSG 4x4 + options) with comparative ease so there's plenty of scope for LR to price walk in the next few years and still remain competitive!

This has been spoken about a few times but I doubt it will happen this side of 2020.

We have the Disco, Freelander and Defender all due for replacement as well as an Evoque convertible that's under test.

When it does though I'm sure it will be a winner. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

It should be the base defender 90 ( new version ) that begins as the baby SUV vehicle that can then be built up to luxury levels.

Defender 90 - now that's some baby!  Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne