Land Rover considering sub-LR2 model?

If the baby LR2 is given the green light, it will likely make its debut after the middle of the decade.

Land Rover is a niche automaker that specializes in building SUVs, so it has historically had a rather small lineup.

This trend has been changing recently. The success of luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7, and even smaller offerings like the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK has inspired the brand to move into more mainstream territory. China's large appetite for SUVs has also been one of the brand's motivations to expand its presence in just about every SUV segment out there.

One of the first products developed under that policy was the Evoque, which is available as a three-door, a five-door and a convertible. The brand is currently working on a bigger Evoque, but a recent report indicates that it is also looking to expand its lineup downwards.

According to Inside Line, Land Rover is considering building a leisure model that could slot under the LR2. It would be separate from the next-generation Defender, which the brand considers a utility vehicle, and it would stand apart from more expensive luxury models such as the iconic Range Rover.

The new SUV is part of Land Rover and Jaguar's ambitious expansion plan that calls for the launch of approximately forty new models and variants of existing models in the next five years.

The sub-LR2 vehicle is in an embryonic stage of development and nothing is set in stone yet. If it is given the green light, it will likely make its debut after the middle of the decade.