The Jaguar XJ will continue to be king among the Coventry cats. Confirmation has just been given by Ian Callum, Jaguar's design director. That, in statements to Autocar, did not fail to recognize that "a new SUV has been under discussion, although it is not the most pressing challenge for the brand".
Moreover, regarding the possibility that a proposal like this could be elevated to the status of standard bearer, Callum considers that “an SUV with a level of sophistication capable of elevating it to the top of the range is something more natural at Land Rover”.
Sedan concept has also to be rethought
But if the idea of an SUV capable of leading the manufacturer's range is something that does not seem to please Jaguar's head of design, the sedan concept itself has, according to Ian Callum, to be similarly rethought. Even as a way to remain relevant in the manufacturer's current offer.
Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director“The coupé profile is something I've always been obsessed with. There are people who do not agree with me and who even tend to simplify and compartmentalize these types of proposals. Which makes us waste the opportunity to define the concept, according to our own way of seeing it. Since, in our case, the XJ fulfills this need perfectly"
J-Pace scheduled for 2019
As for the future SUV, which will be a kind of J-Pace, scheduled to arrive on the market in 2019, it should use the same platform as the Range Rover. Although and while the latter bets on a more comfortable and luxurious driving, Jaguar's SUV should focus on a sportier driving.