RE: Jag to build crossover 4x4
Wednesday 16th March 2005
Jag to build crossover 4x4
Luxury car firm meets rather than trails the trend?
Autocar reports this week that Jaguar is to build a 'crossover' 4x4 -- a revolutionary move from the company that gave the world some of the most sumptuous sports cars, such as the E-Type, XKR and the XK120.
According to the report, the car will combine "the utility of an MPV with four-wheel-drive and the slick lines of an upmarket estate", and could be available as early as 2007. The high-roof vehicle likely to have seven seats and be aimed at the luxury end of the segment.
The report said that the move for once meets market trends rather than trailing them, as Jaguar did with its introduction of diesel engines and the X-Type estate.
Picture here: www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=214292
Discussion
I said it before, and this surely confirms it: Jaguar is not what is used to be. Now it's just another brand, as where it used to be something really special in the past.
I still remember my fathers XJ 5.3 in 1977. Black with a black leather interior. What a gorgeous car. Sleek lines and matching performance (and fuel consumption, true).
And now: diesels, estates, cloth interiors...
I understand that they try to build what the market asks for. But in the process they're destroying their image IMHO.
Edited to say: I forgot to mention front wheel drive...
>> Edited by klassiekerrally on Wednesday 16th March 12:24
I still remember my fathers XJ 5.3 in 1977. Black with a black leather interior. What a gorgeous car. Sleek lines and matching performance (and fuel consumption, true).
And now: diesels, estates, cloth interiors...
I understand that they try to build what the market asks for. But in the process they're destroying their image IMHO.
Edited to say: I forgot to mention front wheel drive...
>> Edited by klassiekerrally on Wednesday 16th March 12:24
klassiekerrally said:
I said it before, and this surely confirms it: Jaguar is not what is used to be. Now it's just anoter brand, as where it used to be something really special in the past.
I still remember my fathers XJ 5.3 in 1977. Black with a black leather interior. What a gorgeous car. Sleek lines and matching performance (and fuel consumption, true).
And now: diesels, estates, cloth interiors...
I understand that they try to build what the market asks for. But in the process they're destroying their image IMHO.
I don't see a problem with diesel engines-given modern diesel technology you can now have engines that meet the requirements of what a Jaguar stands for. as for Estates most executive cars these days need them as an option.
I would say however that it is a travesty that some Jaguars now come with Front wheel drive.
Well they build mondeo's already.. surely the next move is a small hatch lets imagine a diesel focus with leather seats and chrome mirrors. Then maybe they could move on ad do a Transit Lux (like the ford one, but with leather seats, air con, metalic paint on the box section or faux wallnut on the flat bed).
Do ford still have the Iveco brand? Maybe jag could take on Merc in the HGV market.
Remember when ford aquired the rights to use the Ghia badge on their upmarket models. The boys at Jag better get used to it.
Do ford still have the Iveco brand? Maybe jag could take on Merc in the HGV market.
Remember when ford aquired the rights to use the Ghia badge on their upmarket models. The boys at Jag better get used to it.
I'm going to be cautiously optimistic about this - their styling over the last several years has been mediocre and bland, and Ford has pushed them into volume not exclusivity, believing that to be the right route.
But I think things might be changing - the Callum designs (X-type estate conversion and new XK) are far better resolved than anything since the original XK...and the company seems to be heading in a far more progressive direction...creating a Jag x-over MIGHT work...if it's sufficiently differentiated from the Range Rover sport and is a high-performance vehicle...otherwise it'll overlap with the Volvo and LR equivalents at either end...and be a waste of PAG resources.
But I think things might be changing - the Callum designs (X-type estate conversion and new XK) are far better resolved than anything since the original XK...and the company seems to be heading in a far more progressive direction...creating a Jag x-over MIGHT work...if it's sufficiently differentiated from the Range Rover sport and is a high-performance vehicle...otherwise it'll overlap with the Volvo and LR equivalents at either end...and be a waste of PAG resources.
Guys, this is a CROSS-OVER, in other words a lifestyle-estate on stilts...to be sold to people who want badges, luxury, high driving position and a big headline bhp figure.
Whether it is a good drive or is a capable off-roader is not something that will be particularly relevant to most owners...
Whether it is a good drive or is a capable off-roader is not something that will be particularly relevant to most owners...
OI! JAGUAR! NO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!!
Ford have Land/Range Rover, why dilute the Jaguar brand with an SUV?
They've already produced a re-badged Mondeo Jag (X-type), which is supposed to appeal to my age group (I'm 37), yet I wouldn't be seen dead in one. Enough is enough.
The Jaguar brand appeals to me, but they just don't make a Jag that I would buy. I'm thinking medium-sized saloon with RWD and modern styling.
Ford have Land/Range Rover, why dilute the Jaguar brand with an SUV?
They've already produced a re-badged Mondeo Jag (X-type), which is supposed to appeal to my age group (I'm 37), yet I wouldn't be seen dead in one. Enough is enough.
The Jaguar brand appeals to me, but they just don't make a Jag that I would buy. I'm thinking medium-sized saloon with RWD and modern styling.
Hi All,
This is my first post on here and sadly a negetive one.
I may be stating the obvious here but this is purely 'Badge Engineering' by Ford.
I think it is well known that Ford (among others) is not in great financial shape right now, especially in Europe.
Because Ford is so big Jaguar is purely filling the market place where Ford thinks the word Jaguar will sell the most cars.. (hence why Ford and its 'daughter' companies often overlap their model range!)
As a result anyone who remembers what Jaguar used to stand for and the cars they made will sadly become more and more unhappy the way Jaguar has become..
When Ford took over Jaguar my (slightly naive!) hope was for Ford to improve reliability and with its bigger budget be able to inject more money into development of more great models.
For a while that happened.. The XJ got better, The S type (i'd have one and im only 30) The XK8 was a pretty cool car and a glimmer of hope in the vein of the F type..
Then Ford i feel lost their way.. X Type?? (badge engineered Mondeo) X Type Estate (same!) and now Porsche Cayenne meets Range Rover.. But arent they already making one of those? The Range Rover Sports?
Its just badge Engineering again cause a Jaguar MPV 4x4 thingy will sell to people who dont like the image etc of the Range Rover..
Sorry for the lenghty reply but its yet again another sad situation when a historically great brand sells very 'normal' 'ordinary' cars..
Its like Triumph and MG all over again (TR7 and Metro anyone??)
This is my first post on here and sadly a negetive one.
I may be stating the obvious here but this is purely 'Badge Engineering' by Ford.
I think it is well known that Ford (among others) is not in great financial shape right now, especially in Europe.
Because Ford is so big Jaguar is purely filling the market place where Ford thinks the word Jaguar will sell the most cars.. (hence why Ford and its 'daughter' companies often overlap their model range!)
As a result anyone who remembers what Jaguar used to stand for and the cars they made will sadly become more and more unhappy the way Jaguar has become..
When Ford took over Jaguar my (slightly naive!) hope was for Ford to improve reliability and with its bigger budget be able to inject more money into development of more great models.
For a while that happened.. The XJ got better, The S type (i'd have one and im only 30) The XK8 was a pretty cool car and a glimmer of hope in the vein of the F type..
Then Ford i feel lost their way.. X Type?? (badge engineered Mondeo) X Type Estate (same!) and now Porsche Cayenne meets Range Rover.. But arent they already making one of those? The Range Rover Sports?
Its just badge Engineering again cause a Jaguar MPV 4x4 thingy will sell to people who dont like the image etc of the Range Rover..
Sorry for the lenghty reply but its yet again another sad situation when a historically great brand sells very 'normal' 'ordinary' cars..
Its like Triumph and MG all over again (TR7 and Metro anyone??)
change or die!
so long as it reflects some Jaguar DNA it will be fine.
Everyone blobed and moaned about the Cayenne, but it is obviously a Porsche and sells well without destroying the brand in the long term.
The L/R vs Jaguar brand issue is a red herring:
Land Rover = the best 4x4xfar, must have outstanding off road performance
Jaguar = pace, space and grace OR the modern version: "fast beautiful cars", 4x4 for on road ablity not off road.
A crossover is the obvious move for Jaguar and would have limited cannibalisation of L/R sales.
so long as it reflects some Jaguar DNA it will be fine.
Everyone blobed and moaned about the Cayenne, but it is obviously a Porsche and sells well without destroying the brand in the long term.
The L/R vs Jaguar brand issue is a red herring:
Land Rover = the best 4x4xfar, must have outstanding off road performance
Jaguar = pace, space and grace OR the modern version: "fast beautiful cars", 4x4 for on road ablity not off road.
A crossover is the obvious move for Jaguar and would have limited cannibalisation of L/R sales.
I've been a life-long Jaguar fan and am currently on my second Jag.
I think the introduction of diesel engines was a necessary move by Jaguar and doesn't harm it's image. I can look past the X-Type as it sits below the rest of the range (current and all previous ranges) so therefore does not detract from any of them.
With this, Jaguar is now dead. They have finally become another arm of Ford, like Vauxhall is to GM.
A 4x4 does not fit into any ethos of the brand, will not have any influences to or from other models in the range and will totally detract from the stylish image associated with Jaguar.
Porsche can get away with it. Their cars have never been considered elegant, they have a proven history of off-road competition and 4 wheel drive and they positioned their model above every other 4x4 on the market.
Jaguar on the other hand seem to want to make a 4x4 people carrier to compete with that stylish icon, the Renault Espace
When the current XJR becomes too long in the tooth as a viable daily car, then I fear my love affair with the marque will be over.
Jaguar have lost a 26yr old repeat buyer for life.
Congratulations...
I think the introduction of diesel engines was a necessary move by Jaguar and doesn't harm it's image. I can look past the X-Type as it sits below the rest of the range (current and all previous ranges) so therefore does not detract from any of them.
With this, Jaguar is now dead. They have finally become another arm of Ford, like Vauxhall is to GM.
A 4x4 does not fit into any ethos of the brand, will not have any influences to or from other models in the range and will totally detract from the stylish image associated with Jaguar.
Porsche can get away with it. Their cars have never been considered elegant, they have a proven history of off-road competition and 4 wheel drive and they positioned their model above every other 4x4 on the market.
Jaguar on the other hand seem to want to make a 4x4 people carrier to compete with that stylish icon, the Renault Espace
When the current XJR becomes too long in the tooth as a viable daily car, then I fear my love affair with the marque will be over.
Jaguar have lost a 26yr old repeat buyer for life.
Congratulations...
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