gavriil

Jaguar Z-Type to leap from Volvo XC success

With the success of Volvo's new XC90, Jaguar will take the opportunity to follow the performance oriented Porsche Cayenne, just one of many SUVs taking a route less traveled: the smooth black asphalt.

Presumably to be dedicated with "Z-Type" nomenclature, the Jaguar SUV is to be based off the Volvo SUV platform, already a hit with the luxury-seeking crowd. Like Volvo, Jaguar will have a heavy responsibility to deliver an SUV that can be differential in a category that is only becoming more crowed by the month. Considering that Volvo's first SUV has done so well thus far, BMW's X-Series and Mercedes' M-Class should tread lightly out in the wild.

The Z-Type must be quick off the line as well as beautiful- something that Jaguar has excelled at over the past decade with base models. This includes the devastating and wicked "R" vehicles- Jaguar's specialty line of speed infused standard models.

The introduction of a wonderful new Jaguar roadster is also imminent: the F-Type or the E-Type (we don't believe there is finalization yet in regards to name).



Source: autothing

Crazy Bimmer

I have mix feelings about this idea.

Minch00

At least it looks better than the Volvo version........

goldmemberer

That traditional Jaguar grille will be tough to pull off on an SUV.

Black CL-S 4-Life

Bad idea.

titan

Me too. It's hard to accept an suv from a company like Jaguar, but after Porche did it I guess they thought they have no choice. Jag is truly one of the last holdouts... atleast the base is good. That Volvo XC90 is a good car-based SUV. Can't help but wonder how much longer Jag's going to hold on to that classic (almost retro) Jag styling.

ferrari528

best looking suv ive ever seen. jags may not be the best cars but they are def good looking.

Chaptorial

Oh man is it ever gonna stop.

Interested to see what it looks like as a whole however.

chungkopi

looks like a batmobile

nandowong

nice

Zoot

Why can't ford let jag make the luxo brit cars and Land Rover the SUV's? Keep it the way it has always been

soopa

busted but pimp

gavriil

Cat Leaps Off-road - - By Craig Cheetham - - Source: Autoexpress


This week's mag has the first sensational pictures of the car that Jaguar hopes will iron out the rough road ahead! The car is the new Jaguar SUV, and despite denials from the troubled company that it exists, our spies have learned the off-roader is not only on the drawing board, but is seen as the machine that will rescue the Big Cat's ailing fortunes.

Following a downturn in demand in the US, the newcomer is vital for the Coventry-based firm's survival. Speak-ing at a press conference after the decision to stop manufacturing at the city's Brown's Lane plant, Jaguar boss Joe Greenwell admitted: "Our bottom line has deteriorated with the weakness of the dollar, unprecedented sales incentives and the shift from premium saloon cars to SUVs." The statement fuelled rumours that a 4x4 was part of the company's plans. This would boost interest in America, which is vital as it accounts for over half of Jaguar sales.

Set to appear in five years' time, the off-roader will be based on the platform of the next-generation S-Type. It will use permanent four-wheel drive derived from the Land Rover Freelander, and have a raised ride height.

With an expected price of around £40,000, the SUV will rival the BMW X5 and Mercedes' M-Class.

Indeed, Auto Express has learned that much of the technology developed for the new Jag has already debuted on the Discovery, and will be shared with other Ford Premier Auto Group brands in the near future. While the Disco's semi-monocoque body will remain exclusively a Land Rover feature, other elements such as its adaptable air-suspension and Terrain Response system are likely to be used on other models, including the new Jaguar.

Also set to appear in Jag's SUV is the Discovery's 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine, which will be used in the majority of production models. The unit is a bored-out version of Jaguar's 4.2-litre V8, and has been set up to deliver greater torque at lower speeds, giving better off-road and towing capabilities.

But while the V8 will account for the lion's share of US sales, a diesel is expected to be a bigger hit in Europe. The SUV will get the S-Type's 190bhp 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 oil-burner, while speculation abounds of a larger 4.0-litre-plus V8 oil-burner which could well make its way into the off-roader, as well as the XJ luxury saloon.

Jaguar is still remaining tight-lipped about its SUV, but our sources suggest the car is planned for a 2009 launch, while 4x4 versions of both the S-Type saloon and even the XJ are being considered.

amisconception

Nice.

Zoot

too little....way too late

titan

Wonder if it'll be Jag's saving grace... look foward to seeing sketches are pics of it. I wonder if they'll continue with Jag's classic style and design (new XJ), or finally move in a more contemporary direction, while holding on to the essential ques.

gavriil

Yeap!