Report: Jaguar planning XJ coupe, version of Evoque crossover
Jaguar has been on a continuously upward trend after examples such as the new Jaguar XF and the astonishing Jaguar XJ proved that long gone is the idea that Jaguar drivers are retired dentists and doctors…anyone who’s owned an old S-Type would know what I’m on about.
But now they have some great cars that will hopefully attract buyers from the stoic Germans and humdrum Japanese benchmarks. That said, there are many plans for expansion, thanks to the deep pockets of Carl-Peter Forster, CEO of Tata Motors and recently appointed senior brand manager, Adrian Hallmark, who formerly led the ambitions of Volkswagen AG.
In an interview with our friends at Automobile Mag, newly appointed marketing officer for Land Rover, John Edwards said that efforts for the next entry level Land Rover as well as the middle model Discovery/LR4 replacement are underway with ways to increase platform and component sharing. There is even word on talks about reintroducing the Defender to the lineup (YES!). For Jaguar, Edwards also said that as part of their expansion, the Range Rover Evoque is being heavily considered as a new entry-level crossover that will compete with the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK.
For Jaguar, a facelifted XF as well as a sleek estate version are the next new things to come from Jaguar later this year as well as a more affordable two-seater sports car for 2013. Logically, that should be pinned against the likes of the Boxster, the Z4, SLK and the lot. But wait, there’s more! Hallmark even spoke of all-new entry-level models to compete with the BMW 3er, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. And lastly in the works is a four-door coupe XJ Coupe model that Hallmark says will be “much more dynamic and emotional than a Mercedes CL.” Now that’s a tall order considering the success of the CLS and, well, it’s a piece of art that will no handedly go down as one of the greatest looking cars of all time.
A heck of a lot to look forward to since the British manufacturers are yearning for more mainstream action. I especially look forward to that new XJ Coupe plan. The last time the Leaping Cat made an XJ coupe was the 1970s with the XJ-C lineup, which is brilliant looking to this day. A British sports-luxury four-door coupe? Sign me up!
– By: Chris Chin
Source: Automobile
