New Hope For The Wild Cat!

Jaguar C-XF Concept.

All-New Jaguar Concept Car Reveals Dramatic New Design Direction for Future Sport Sedans

Design finally breaks Jaguar away from the ball and chain of its own traditions with a decidedly un-retro shape that still manages to exude a feline quality. This cat is more like a lion, however, thanks to a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 420 hp and 368 ft-lbs. of torque driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The C-XF also showcases some new technology, including something called JaguarSense that allows certain functions in the cockpit to be activated with a gesture of the hand instead of the push of a button. The interior also employs advanced lighting that bathes the cabin in an electric blue when the vehicle is started. Now, Jaguar's design director Ian Callum and his team want us to know that we are not staring at the next S-Type sedan, though the C-XF does display the brand's new design direction going forward.

Headed by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum and Head of Advanced Design Julian Thomson, the concept was designed by the same team that produced the award-winning 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible. The team looked to create a vehicle that presents a confident statement of design purity. In doing so, the C-XF possesses a sense of latent power through a look that is dynamic and athletic.

"The Jaguar C-XF concept is the most dynamic and modern four-door car that Jaguar has ever created, a design showcase heralding the next generations of our sports saloon models," says Ian Callum. "It signals a future for Jaguar that is as exciting as the C-XF itself."

The concept sedan features single, slim-wedged headlamps which have evolved from the twin-lamp motif seen on past Jaguars. The lights are thin and angular, producing an aggressive look for the car's front profile. Running from the headlamps to the rear wheel haunch is an unbroken, main feature line that gives the car a sense of power and movement. Furthering the vehicles aggressive appearance are the muscular bonnet, side power vents, tapered tail and deeply recessed front grille.

The vehicle's modern, sports design philosophy is applied to the cabin as well, with the emphasis tailored toward performance as opposed to luxury. Inside are lightweight, sculpted bucket-style front seats and twin individual rear bucket seats. Running in between the seats is a tall, central transmission tunnel that gives the occupants a sense of sitting deep within a futuristic cockpit. In addition, a brushed aluminum fascia wraps around the cabin, producing a dynamic linear graphic that instills a sense of velocity. Design Director Ian Callum describes the cabin of the all-new C-XF concept car as "one of the most exciting interiors Jaguar has ever done."

Enhancing the cabin experience is the introduction of the vehicle's new technologies that blend simplicity of design with practical innovation. JaguarSense, a prototype technology which employs motion detecting sensors to activate certain vehicle features, reacts to the sweep of a hand, making it advance yet intuitive. Also, the C-XF has a jewel-like Power button that pulses like a heartbeat on the center console and once pushed, aluminum rings lower from the center console to reveal the gear shift knob. As the engine starts, a blue light sweeps around the cabin, the entire roofline illuminates with a muted blue light and a final blue light shines from the front grille, signifying the car's ignition.

The C-XF is not just another concept car – it is much more than that. Its dynamic styling and modern design offer a glimpse to the future for Jaguar. The exterior is pure and athletic, the interior striking and contemporary while the technology innovative and practical. The C-XF is the new direction of Jaguar design.