Aware that the Land Rover Defender was nearing time for replacement, Jaguar Land Rover presented two design models at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to gauge public
reaction: DC100 was a familiar utilitarian shape, but the DC100 Sport was a more radical, open-top version built with outdoor life, freedom and fun in mind. Land Rover had taken the heritage of the Defender and attempted to reinterpret it for the 21st century. The design, led by the then design director, Gerry McGovern, continued the concepts of adaptability and configurability that have always been key attributes of the marque.

With chunky wheels, short overhangs, three-abreast seating and the ever-capable off-road underpinnings, the DC100 Sport carried on the traditional Defender design cues and engineering features - even the wrap-around aero screen harks back to the open-top ‘Series’ Land Rovers.

Although reactions to the concepts were generally encouraging, the die-hard enthusiasts were not so keen, with McGovern stating that “the traditionalists hated it” as the design had strayed too far from the Land Rover style. Although at least five versions of the DC100 were made, none were ever put into production.