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Jaguar C-XF Concept

» Jaguar C-XF Concept
(December 2006)

Jaguar C-XF Concept

If you’re given to thinking that Jaguar’s are all about retro-conservatism then think again. The striking Jaguar C-XF concept car, which will make its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show, reveals Jaguar’s design direction for the next decade or more. It offers a clue, not just to the appearance of the forthcoming S-type replacement – the XF – but also to the next generation of the XJ luxury sedan. The C-XF could prove to one of the most important unveils in Jaguar’s rollercoaster history.

Four-Door Coupe
Redefining Jaguar’s styling has fallen to Ian Callum, the talented Scot who penned the current Aston Martin range, and the latest Jaguar XK. “This is about re-establishing Jaguar,” he says.

The Jaguar C-XF is a four-door coupe in the manner of the Mercedes CLS. This is in contrast to the production XF, which will be a more conventional four door sedan when it’s unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show in September. The production version will not only replace the S-Type in the Jaguar lineup, it will define Jaguar’s design direction for the next decade.

Arguably the most controversial element is the grille, which is recessed back into the bodywork. “It’s the classic ‘car in the rear-view mirror’ look, with everything powering rearwards from the grille,” explains Callum. This grille is framed by narrow, aggressive looking headlights that eschew the circular motif of the current sedan range. The lenses contain a subtle, abstract Jaguar leaper logo, which is repeated on the door sills and the tread pattern of the bespoke 21-inch Pirelli tires.

These details will be toned down for production cars but the dramatic shoulder line, which flows from the base of the windows into the haunch above the rear wheel, will feature. “The lines must look spontaneous,” says Callum, “and a single line must define what the car does.”

More Radical Inside
Even more radical than the exterior, the interior gives less of a pointer as to how the Jaguar’s of tomorrow will look. Occupants sit ensconced in a ‘cockpit’, with the high-set, aluminum centre console flowing around them. There are four individual sports seats, with enough room in the rear for a pair of six foot adults.

The cabin offers a reinterpretation of the classic wood and leather themes. Carbon fiber-pattern leather is used in partnership with semi-aniline hide on the seats. Elements of the doors and transmission tunnel have been carved from Poplar wood and then scorched by the artist Clive Sheridan, to create a satin feel.

“Jaguar is recognized for tailoring cars in wood and leather, but we have turned that on its head by treating these traditional materials in an unusual and contemporary fashion,” says Alister Whelan, one of the designers responsible. There is no visible stitching on the seats or fascia. “This creates the impression that the interior is wrapped in leather,” explains Whelan.

Innovation
A concept car wouldn’t be a concept car without a couple of high-tech trinkets. “We wanted to create a sense of theatre,” says Callum, “but we also wanted to show a sense of humor. British humor is very tongue-in-cheek – we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

Evidence of this humor is provided by the starting sequence. Jump into the driver’s seat and the Power button pulses on the centre console, representing the ‘heartbeat’ of the car. Prod the button and concentric rings withdraw to leave the gear selector in your hand. At the same time, beams of blue light emanate from the instrument panel and the front grille, marking the moment at which the engine is brought to life. “We want Jaguars to feel like they are coming to life when you start them,” says Whelan.

Other novelties include Jaguar Sense, which activates the interior door handles when an occupant sweeps their hand across the fascia. A dual view screen system allows the driver and passenger to view two different images simultaneously, while the centrally mounted rev counter responds to the way in which the car is being driven. If the driver selects Dynamic mode, the rev counter motors outwards, increasing its prominence.

The Grunt
The C-XF is no dummy. Under the bonnet is a tuned version of the Jaguar XKR’s 4.2-liter supercharged V8. It delivers ‘in excess of’ 420hp and 368lb ft of torque and could, in theory, power the rear-wheel drive concept to 180mph. The only significant novelty under the skin is a carbon fiber sleeve for the electrical wiring.

Behind the engine is the same 6-speed automatic transmission that partners with the V8 in the XKR.

Final thoughts
Jaguar is certainly not the first manufacturer to talk of a design-led revolution, but no-one should doubt the determination of Callum and his team. Ironically, the company’s parlous condition has given them a unique opportunity to re-establish a once fabled marque.

The production cars won’t be as radical as the C-XF but they will be modern and Callum is confident that the new XF is a “damn good looking car.” If enough people share his vision, then Jaguar is at the start of a long road to prosperity.