A new patent filed by Land Rover has sparked extensive rumor swirls across the automotive industry.

The English marque has taken steps towards reserving the name "Road Rover" for protection under the European Union Intellectual Property Office — likely hinting at a potential new model’s future addition to their growing lineup.

The trademark application was filed Monday, July 23, 2018, by Jaguar Land Rover Limited, the subsidiary corporation of Chinese conglomerate Tata Motors, and seeks to claim first rights to the name in both English and French. The trademark falls under Nice Classification 12, which essentially covers any kind of vehicle imaginable, from racing cars to parachutes to hovercrafts, and all their parts.

Those keeping a keen eye on the two brands’ developments might recall a recent, similar filing for the name C-Pace on behalf of the same company. That filing led to speculation that Jaguar would follow in their previous naming etiquette (E-Pace, F-Pace, etc) and announce the addition of a coupe-style SUV to their lineup, a la the Audi Q8 and BMW’s X6 with their rakish, crossover inspired forms.

The Road Rover name, on the other hand, could even apply to a whole new subsidiary of Land Rover itself — much like the Range Rover badging on the standard Range Rover, the Evoque, and Velar. But simultaneously, the addition of the P400e model to Range Rover’s line creates a need for a smaller, electric-focused model. In terms of hybrid or electric drivelines, could the Jaguar/Land Rover platform sharing process include a Land Rover version of the I-Pace?

Further speculation surrounds the fact that Jaguar has found recent success with their aluminum-chassis XJ sedan. Meanwhile, Audi’s Allroad and Volvo’s Cross Country wagon models are claiming up the rugged station wagon market. It might be a bit of a stretch, but there’s always the possibility that the Land Rover marketing team believes the time has come to add a luxury sedan or wagon to their lineup.

However the Road Rover does, in fact, turn out, with both Jaguar’s and Land Rover’s recent successes, the future likely holds plenty of expansion efforts on behalf of both brands.