While launching the 2004 model year Freelander at Frankfurt, Land Rover MD Matthew Taylor gave journalists a brief glimpse of a design “that will inspire our future product line-up and also gives a strong hint of one of our future models”.

“I can't reveal any details at this stage, that's for next year,” he said, “but I can assure you this will be one of the most exciting Land Rover vehicles ever to take a show podium. It will enter a new sector for Land Rover, and will help drive growth and the strength of our business.”