The design future of X-Type
#1
03-06-2007, 02:49 AM
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The design future of X-Type
As unlikely as it is, if Jaguar does replace the X-Type with a new one after the current
production run, I wonder what it might look like.
Jaguars are some of the very few out there that have continued an "organic" and streamlined
design philosophy, along with some Italians. If they do decide to replace the X-Type with a
similar entry level sport/luxury model and not withdraw from the segment entirely after 2010,
I'm afraid the signs aren't very clear about where Jaguar design is heading.
The new XK, as curvaceous and streamlined as it is, is less so compared to the XK8 it replaces. The
XK8 immediately said "Jaguar" when one looked; the new XK, as interesting as it is, is a bit diluted
by my taste.
The C-XF concept that's supposed to be the first look into the new S-Type is also a more streamlined
and flowing design compared to the likes of newest Audis or -certainly-BMW's, but there are some troubling
trends: look at that grille. I'm not in any way a supporter of the oval grille, but the new one is Audiesque in its
size and rectangular, "big nose" style. It does not rhyme with the rest of the car at all. Of course, one
needs to see these things in person to be sure; photographs don't tell the whole story.
Callum says Jaguar needs to look at the future and not do retro
again and again, which is fine, but is the future full or angular, brutish "in your face" designs?
I for one do not like that possibility. There has to be a way to do organic design without doing retro or
Taurus-like no-edges, no character designs. I mean look at the Alfas; they manage to keep
identity intact while still being curvaceous and aggressive. Can you imagine something like a Cadillac CTS being
the design template for Jaguar?
production run, I wonder what it might look like.
Jaguars are some of the very few out there that have continued an "organic" and streamlined
design philosophy, along with some Italians. If they do decide to replace the X-Type with a
similar entry level sport/luxury model and not withdraw from the segment entirely after 2010,
I'm afraid the signs aren't very clear about where Jaguar design is heading.
The new XK, as curvaceous and streamlined as it is, is less so compared to the XK8 it replaces. The
XK8 immediately said "Jaguar" when one looked; the new XK, as interesting as it is, is a bit diluted
by my taste.
The C-XF concept that's supposed to be the first look into the new S-Type is also a more streamlined
and flowing design compared to the likes of newest Audis or -certainly-BMW's, but there are some troubling
trends: look at that grille. I'm not in any way a supporter of the oval grille, but the new one is Audiesque in its
size and rectangular, "big nose" style. It does not rhyme with the rest of the car at all. Of course, one
needs to see these things in person to be sure; photographs don't tell the whole story.
Callum says Jaguar needs to look at the future and not do retro
again and again, which is fine, but is the future full or angular, brutish "in your face" designs?
I for one do not like that possibility. There has to be a way to do organic design without doing retro or
Taurus-like no-edges, no character designs. I mean look at the Alfas; they manage to keep
identity intact while still being curvaceous and aggressive. Can you imagine something like a Cadillac CTS being
the design template for Jaguar?
#2
03-06-2007, 11:41 AM
RE: The design future of X-Type
I completely agree. As nice as I think the new XK looks, it resembles an Aston Martin more than it does a Jaguar. Also, the C-XF looks like the new Lexus(GS or IS but I'm not sure) more than a Jaguar as well. Now what about the #1 thing that distiguishes even the 1930's Jaguars from all other cars.
How can Jaguar discontinue putting the most distinguishable part of a Jag and put a badge in its place that as elegant as it is, it doesn't scream Jag? I don't hate the new badges, but they're not to my likeing! I hope that Jaguar fixes they're new found hate for the Jaguar tradition!
How can Jaguar discontinue putting the most distinguishable part of a Jag and put a badge in its place that as elegant as it is, it doesn't scream Jag? I don't hate the new badges, but they're not to my likeing! I hope that Jaguar fixes they're new found hate for the Jaguar tradition!
#3
03-07-2007, 11:31 AM
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RE: The design future of X-Type
I first saw the new design in an article on the website of the British auto magazine Car. Like bigdreams, it screamed "Aston Martin" to me. It didn't look like a Jaguar at all. I didn't like that part. One of the great things about driving a Jaguar is that it cannot be mistaken for anything else.
#4
03-07-2007, 03:26 PM
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#5
03-23-2007, 05:52 PM
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#6
03-26-2007, 01:23 AM
RE: The design future of X-Type
If i had the bucks i would rather buy the XKR than an aston. But as stated you can never mistake a jag of anything else untill now with the designer of aston doing the XK, and the concept car. i really am scared about the future of Jaguar. Only time will tell.
#7
03-29-2007, 11:32 PM
RE: The design future of X-Type
Well we will all see what happens once aston martin isn't connected as closely to jag now that ford is selling/sold most of its stake in the cars. I guess ford will still have involvement in aston but well see. I like the new jags but I do agree that more of the classic jaguar look needs to be incorporated into the look. At least the leaper bonnet on the hood! I do love though how the hood swoops over the headlight the whole way up.
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#8
08-26-2007, 04:30 PM
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RE: The design future of X-Type
hey all,
i agree completely!
the history of the brand "jaguar" is one of the most important feature of the car. including the leaper!
if they cut the new modelsfrom that, they will face a hard fight against other premium cars.
if a jaguar looks like an audi or any german car, so i d'rather buy a german car and get genuine high-tech-value.
if a jaguar looks like an aston-martin, why not buy the aston-martin first.
if my friends do not recognize a jag as a jag, then i won't buy it.
i hope one of the management will read that.
regrads to all
i agree completely!
the history of the brand "jaguar" is one of the most important feature of the car. including the leaper!
if they cut the new modelsfrom that, they will face a hard fight against other premium cars.
if a jaguar looks like an audi or any german car, so i d'rather buy a german car and get genuine high-tech-value.
if a jaguar looks like an aston-martin, why not buy the aston-martin first.
if my friends do not recognize a jag as a jag, then i won't buy it.
i hope one of the management will read that.
regrads to all
#9
05-16-2009, 04:30 PM
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Posts: n/a
X-type future
Is it a good reason for rejecting a new design as not resembling its ancestors? The leap from the Mk 5 to the Mks 7/8/9 gave no expectation of the XJ being the 'next Jaguar'
The XK120 seemed to have come from another planet compared with the SS 100. I remember the joy when it arrived. No damn silly journalists about to say 'not a real Jaguar'
I have a replica SS100 (cos I can't bring myself to buy an real one). This satisfies one sort of desire and I used to drive a borrowed one in the late fifties.
I have 3 X-type 3 ltr models, two saloons and an estate. For sheer mini-limo, hard to beat- but on slippery, slushy roads a revelation- leaving the rear wheel drive brigade standing, really good fun. On a dry road positively indecent. Yes, you can 4-wheel drift while you 4-wheel drive.
One saloon is about to be replaced by an Audi A6, mainly because there is no clear statement from Jaguar on the X-type future and I want a road car with 4-wheel drive (that is not an SUV.)
I never went the XJ route because I was running a Jensen and it lasted for YEARS (541S, just never wore out, did 400,000 miles and for all I know went on to do it all again)
What I am saying is, test, try, and judge a car by what it looks like and goes like- and don't listen to the fashionistas and DNA fanatics. My X-types have given service, low maintenance, great comfort and enormous driver satisfaction. Had I listened to the 'it is not a real Jaguar' crowd I would have missed out on really good cars.
For years I ran a Vauxhall Senator 24 valve. Had I listened to the badge bores I would have missed out on that one as well. That was a 150 mph 5-seat saloon and that was a long time ago.
Tell the manufacturers what you want, don't let Top Gear or someone like them tell you what to think, they are amusing but it is your money so it is your shout.
The XK120 seemed to have come from another planet compared with the SS 100. I remember the joy when it arrived. No damn silly journalists about to say 'not a real Jaguar'
I have a replica SS100 (cos I can't bring myself to buy an real one). This satisfies one sort of desire and I used to drive a borrowed one in the late fifties.
I have 3 X-type 3 ltr models, two saloons and an estate. For sheer mini-limo, hard to beat- but on slippery, slushy roads a revelation- leaving the rear wheel drive brigade standing, really good fun. On a dry road positively indecent. Yes, you can 4-wheel drift while you 4-wheel drive.
One saloon is about to be replaced by an Audi A6, mainly because there is no clear statement from Jaguar on the X-type future and I want a road car with 4-wheel drive (that is not an SUV.)
I never went the XJ route because I was running a Jensen and it lasted for YEARS (541S, just never wore out, did 400,000 miles and for all I know went on to do it all again)
What I am saying is, test, try, and judge a car by what it looks like and goes like- and don't listen to the fashionistas and DNA fanatics. My X-types have given service, low maintenance, great comfort and enormous driver satisfaction. Had I listened to the 'it is not a real Jaguar' crowd I would have missed out on really good cars.
For years I ran a Vauxhall Senator 24 valve. Had I listened to the badge bores I would have missed out on that one as well. That was a 150 mph 5-seat saloon and that was a long time ago.
Tell the manufacturers what you want, don't let Top Gear or someone like them tell you what to think, they are amusing but it is your money so it is your shout.
#10
05-16-2009, 06:21 PM
Senior Member
I personally think the new XF looks amazing. Just look at the other cars in the segment. The new e-class is all squared off. The new A6 refresh squared off the rear of the car compared to the pre-refresh design. The new 5-series will probably follow that trend. And then you have the XK, which is a flowing, coupe-looking, design with curves. None of the others are like that (minus the CLS i guess) and it immediately makes the car stand apart.
And I still think it looks like a traditional jag since in profile it does still have a similar silhouette.
Now time to see how the new XJ looks.
And I still think it looks like a traditional jag since in profile it does still have a similar silhouette.
Now time to see how the new XJ looks.
#11
05-16-2009, 08:08 PM
Veteran Member
I agreee, they should not have gotton rid of the leaper ornament, thats one of the main reason i get behind the wheel of my x type, and smile as i drive by people or by myself ( not being gay or anything). I like the way the cars look ( old one) but as many people said, if it aint broke, don't fix it. There was nothing wrong with the old design, if they worked on power/ fuel effeincy, and cleaning up the looks, and reliability record, more people would buy it. Persoanlly before i got my x type, i looked at reviews and i thought it was a pievce junk, blu**** horsepoer ( got the 2.5) not low enough to the ground, **** for custimizing. But when i test drove it, wow, i was impresssed. That guy has a good point, don't let these over payed test drivers ( what we can only dream to do as a job) let the thought of discovery of a car be clouded by designers names/ prevous projects. And hey, we can all custimze, i saw the xf on the road, it look weird fromt he back, but then i saw the xk and it looked like a demon pulling out of the night. Im just saying, before making judgement ( i likke the old look my self) get in and take a ride, screw the critics.
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