Now that the Jaguar is about to enter a new era with less corporate directives and (hopefully) fewer Ford parts, we can expect a brand-new roadster in their line-up. Jaguar has been exploring the possibilities for quite a while. We saw the tour de force XK 180 in 1997. The F-Type concept unveiled at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show was drop-dead gorgeous. Although more compact and almost house-broken, the F-Type concept lacked production-necessary elements (e.g. a pair of robust A-pillars or reliable weather-proofing). Jumping from the past into the future, I imagine a smaller F-Type– leaving the XK at the top of the tree, playing in the same league with the Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK. If any manufacturer should play a neo-retro approach on a roadster, it's Jaguar. The low and inclined screen (with the A-pillars painted in black) should increase the “open-body” feel of the car and make a visual connection to the ancestors. The rest should be kept simple and tasteful; I just can’t imagine this car with aggressive side skirts and edgy spoilers. Speaking of the spoiler, I had it painted in black, so it can go almost unnoticed (with a slight nod to the XJ220). I know this car seems a bit dull if compared to the XK180 or the F-Type concept, but if you consider all of the safety regulations, environment protection issues and industrializing process involved, well there you have it. Or will, soon.
[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here]
Looks nice although I hope the actual car will have more pronounced rear haunches
Other than the X-type, Jaguars have never had that many “Ford parts.” It’s really kind of sad that Jaguar’s renaissance is coming as it is being sold and Tata will get credit by blind enthusiasts for what Ford managed to accomplish while owning Jaguar. The XK and XF and upcoming XJ are products built because of Ford’s restructuring work on Jaguar and recent hands-off management, not in spite of Ford’s efforts.
Nasser’s screw up with the X-type has defined Ford’s ownership of Jaguar – which kind of misses the full picture that Ford has helped make Jaguar into a much more lean, innovative and high-quality company than it was before being purchased. Without Ford’s intervention, Jaguar as a brand probably would have gone the way of MG and Rover. The new Jaguar products are a result of this new structure and a stellar head of oroduct design brought to Jaguar by Ford. If Jaguar’s fortunes turn on the backs of the upcoming crop of vehicles, my hat will be tipped to Ford – not Tata.
Y’know, Jaguar has been announcing the F-type in various forms every couple of years for going on three decades now. At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’ll keep my E-type thank you very much.
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
Have a new XK and realy like it. Not a bad replacement for an E of long past. Saw the XF a few days ago as it was being displayed in San Diego. Nice car with 300 and 400 hp options. We will have to see how it competes with the BMW, etc. I am old fashioned Jag and still like the looks of the S … but …
This photochop is gorgeous! Much nicer than the pictures of the prototype I’ve seen with the squarish XF-type grill in front.
Hmm, yeah that F-type concept was great back then, but realistically the rear wasn’t great looking and that window shield wouldn’t ever have made it to production, which leaves you pretty much with this rendering…Nice, but not nice enough to make a real impact.
On the XF, I actually quite like it now. The design grows on you which is a good sign.
However, I think the car is being let down by the engines, that are outdated which shows mostly if you compare HP/milage with the competition. In Europe of course you can take the diesel but agian, compared to Euro competition you get less HP and performance and equal or worse mileage.
Even if mileage is less important in this class, knowing you have an outdated engine isn’t.