When you’re dealing with a true iconic vehicle, the hardest task of all is coming up with a suitable replacement. As we reported in Frankfurt, rumors that Land Rover would simply kill off the Defender have proven to be unfounded.

There will be a successor, reportedly a true global model (the current version hasn’t been sold on our shores officially since ’97) though at this stage, despite an introduction planned for 2015,  it’s still too early to tell how the next generation model will look.

The DC100 Concept and its roofless counterpart, the DC100 Sport, which made their North American debuts at the LA Auto Show today, hinting at just one direction the Defender could go.

Boasting a 100-inch wheelbase, hence the name (DC stands for, naturally Defender Concept), both of these vehicles  incorporate  short front and rear overhangs, plus high ground clearance to prevent getting stuck on really rough trails, a durable, washable interior that boasts seating for three up front (very Defender this), along with a number of high tech features such as a Wade Aid, which employs sonar technology to monitor the depth of water crossings, along with a Terrain i-system that detects potential objects and hazards ahead when off-roading. The DC100s also sport an 8-speed automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive and intelligent stop start, in order to save fuel.

Land Rover is also exploring a number of other interesting technologies for the next generation Defender, including Hybrid drivetrains (both with diesel and gas engines), physically decoupling axles (featured on the concepts), even self-healing paint. After all, as John Edwards, Land Rover’s global brand director said during their North American unveiling, there’s probably no vehicle on earth that has more dings, dents and scratches from exploring our wonderful planet  than the mighty Defender.

GALLERY: Land Rover DC100 Concepts

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Looking to return to its roots in a high-tech way, the brand famous for thinking small has unveiled a new more-mini MINI at the Geneva Auto Show.

Called the Rocketman concept, this isn’t a production car and it’s easy to see why, with a state-of-the-art carbon fiber spaceframe that allows it to be incredibly light – although oddly enough, MINI didn’t listing any figures relating to its weight.

There’s also no word on a powertrain, although MINI claims it’s capable of 94-mpg.

Size wise, it’s 11-feet 3-inches long, which is just over a foot shorter in length than the current Cooper hardtop. For added perspective, the Smart fortwo is nearly 9-feet in length.

Inside there’s seating for 3+1 (similar to Toyota’s iQ) with three seats for adults and an occasional use seat for a child. Getting into and out of the car is made easy thanks to innovative doors that have double hinges, allowing them to open extra wide when there’s room or to almost slide open when in tighter spots. Improved ease of access is also possible as when the doors open there is no sidesill to step over. Instead the bottom of the car moves with the door, as the carbon frame means rocker panels no longer have to be structural elements.

In terms of styling, it’s always hard to tell how close a MINI concept is to production. Most automakers get pretty wild with their concepts, but MINI’s designers are too concerned with crafting the car to look like a MINI to be overly creative. There are, however, a few unique elements, like the 18-inch carbon fiber wheels designed with aerodynamics in mid. And let’s not forget the glass Union Jack roof.

Inside, it’s typical MINI too, with a large center speedo with a 3D display, and a futuristic look at MINI Connected with a joystick on the center console and steering wheel mounted controls to help you stay more connected.

MINI says the Rocketman concept is a look at a possible future model, taking into account the brand’s core values, which include premium trim, a creative use of space and a dynamic driving experience. Production-bound it may be, but that is likely only to be for the European market (at least at first) with MINI U.S.A. boss Jim McDowell recently commenting that more mini-MINIs are not in the plans for North America.