Jaguar Cars will introduce its XK successor this fall in Frankfurt. But will buyers embrace the new family styling theme?



Next-Generation Jaguar XK in the Pipeline

Date Posted 01-20-2005

Advanced lightweight concept points the way for the new XK.

Jaguar Cars is laying the groundwork for the introduction this fall of a successor to its long-lived XK coupe and convertible. Previewed last week at the Detroit Auto Show, the next-generation XK will be unveiled in production-ready trim at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The new coupe and convertible won't arrive in U.S. dealerships, however, until next spring.

The company's Advanced Lightweight Coupe, unwrapped in Detroit, offers a sneak peek at Jaguar's new family styling theme, evolving under design boss Ian Callum — although critics charge the concept has way too many Aston Martin cues for comfort. The clumsy name refers to the car's low-mass aluminum body panels and structure.

Features from the concept that will likely be carried over for production include projector-beam headlamps and 21-inch wheels and tires, as well as a new hatchback-type liftgate.

Like the current XK, the new models next spring will offer buyers a choice of normally aspirated and supercharged V8 engine options.

If you like the look of the new Aston Martin DB9, and who doesn't, then you'll the look of the next Jaguar XK.

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The profile is good, but I don't really like the front particularly the headlights, doesn't look nearly as sexy as the Astons or even the current XK's .

source : Edmunds

 

Oh no. That's terrible.

Looks like a coupe version of the Buick Regal.

 

Doesnt look that bad... I kinda like it

 

Well you can scratch the XKR off my short list of next cars to look at.

 

It looks good to me but the front vents seem out of place and the grille looks like one from a Ford Taurus.

James

 

It looks like they Riped off the sesign of a Ford for the front & the Design of a range rover for the sides

 

I think it looks great. I love it. Looks modern while incorporating some design cues from older models. It looks very....well....Jaguarish(like a cat).

Didnt we have a long thread about this car awhile back??

The Jaguar XJR Super8 at the NYIAS last year had the same grills on the side. It looks good to me.

I dont know, but I always found Jaguars designs some of the best in the auto industry despite how its lacking in other areas. I would still purchase one in a heartbeat.

 

reminds me of an aston martin

 

This concept does not even look like a jaguar or aston martin to me. It looks more like a new ford probe or some other ford mercury. Does not have the sporty XK-8s elegant looks nor does it look like an expensive GT. Jaguar came out with a beautiful 2 door coupe concept a few years ago called the RD6 or something like that. It had a fairly thick front end with 4 seperate headlights and had a very nice interior that jaguar said they were going to base the next XK on. I don't see any cues from that elegant concept in this new vehicle. I do not see many people choosing this over an SL, 911, SC430, 6 series, masserati etc. Hope they make some major changes especially with the front end and rear end before the production model .

 

its like ford basically remodeled and rebadged a DB9......but uglier.

 

Jaguar needs to chop off its front end and re-do it.

The rest of the car actually doesn't look so bad. I think the new car definitely no longer has the classic, elegant and floaty bodylines as the outgoing model does. However, it's M6/Aston Martin look alike rear end is good enough to account for an evolution of cars in this species.

Jon

 

Looks good without the two chrome fender pieces.

 

Hideous, grille looks like a newer Merc. Cougar and a Buick....the car itself looks a little like an Aston Martin.

 

Grille needs to be pulled back about 8-9 inches....it sticks out too far in front, and the twin air vents are too large Otherwise it is a nice, sharp-looking car....in the Jag tradition.

 

very nice overall but i agree about the taurus front end. jag should use more of the front of the s type which imho is real pretty