Perhaps credit it with being a little more than spin given the source. I know 
there's not a lot of new info there, it's about giving some credence to what has been said so far.
If your source is a Land Rover insider, that's great, but from what you've said, they haven't said anything new. 
Well, no not really. There is a big hole in their market coverage, they have luxury (Range Rover) and family/leisure (Discovery) covered, life style/adventure is missing. 
 I totally disagree.  Lifestyle is all they currently do.  Family/Leisure/Luxury/Adventure/Lifestyle - it's all the image of Land Rover - born of vehicles which they no longer build.  The hole in the market for Land Rover is a real work vehicle - which some people will choose to use as an 'adventure' vehicle.
Ultimately, I believe it can only be it's capability and durability. When it comes to the Defender that is the only thing that matters. We'll soon see
Capability includes being a Heavy Duty work vehicle, capable of all that previous Defenders were capable of, but using contemporary build methods. 
I wouldn't get too hung up on those spy shots... filled in wheel arches, increased belt line padded panels, window apertures changed. It's disguised. It's every bit the size of other full size models. Incidentally, I would consider the "G" wagen "diminutive" too in its standard guise but no one questions its capability  
If it's got so much padding it's actually smaller than it looks.
If the "G" (which seems to be lauded by all) is starting well north of 100K in commercial form then 60K to 110K is going to work fine. IF a commercial version is released I would hazard a guess it may be cheaper without the bells and whistles added in. Honestly Land Rover will not be interested in competing in that market on price. If it's going to happen they'll make a product that people want and are willing to pay for, that's what they've been doing for a while now.  
No their current vehicles are all only what wealthy people who live the city want and are willing to pay for.  Most people can't afford a current model Land Rover and won't buy an $80-100K vehicle. 
Why? What do the spy shots tell you about it's capability? Nothing really to be said until a head to head comparison can be done. All the statement does (and this has been said by Land Rover too) is give us some 
hope that the brand is focused on making sure the new defender lives up to its name. 
?
Do you think that a small capacity 4 is unworkable? Interesting as that is what your defender has in it and the small capacity 4's that LR are making now have serious numbers. As for EV, well, that's where it's at. We've all seen the advancement in this space and there is no way that any serious manufacturer can ignore it.  
A small 4 cylinder diesel is great for a vehicle which sold for $50K and was an economical heavy duty vehicle designed for all walks of life.  Yes IF the $60K version has a small 4 and heavy duty it might be ok.  But if all the necessary extras that make it capable add up to $80K+ (like D5) people will also expect a larger engine or an EV with significant range.
As with every thread on this topic, it's all speculation, but one thing I am certain of is that anyone who wants the replacement to be like the old one can forget it  
The one thing 'you're certain of' is a non issue.  ...I don't think anyone wants the replacement to be like the old one. We all already have an old one.  Most want a new Defender built for purpose - as a work vehicle, which doesn't mean the 'Lifestyle' market  (which includes the previous D4 market).  
No offence to D4 owners, but that has always been the difference between Discoveries and Defenders.
From earlier this year...lets hope he is true to his word:
Gerry McGovern Gets Frank About Land Rover Design | Alloy+Grit
Bookmarks