Jaguar's first ever sports crossover concept vehicle - the C-X17 - made its debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Since then Jaguar has confirmed production of their new SUV for 2016.

Above: Evo's take on the all new CX-17 concept

The C-X17 has been created as a design study to introduce Jaguar's all-new advanced aluminium monocoque architecture, codenamed iQ[Al],on which an exciting range of future Jaguars will be built. This new philosophy underpins the entire innovative future of the Jaguar brand. A modular and scalable vehicle architecture, engineered and developed for Jaguar, the architecture is high-strength, lightweight, extremely stiff and incorporates innovative efficiency technologies. It enables flexible high-volume production while allowing creative design freedom and competitive interior packaging, without compromising the unique character, dynamics, performance and luxury that Jaguar is famous for. This will enable Jaguar to grow its product portfolio, targeting high-growth areas of the premium market.

As a sports crossover, the Jaguar C-X17 stretches the design possibilities of the segment by combining the character and driving experience of a sports car with increased presence, style and flexibility. The sports crossover concept represents the potential expansion of Jaguar's portfolio of body styles, with the associated enhancement of the brand's relevance and appeal to a wider global audience.

"The C-X17 sports crossover represents an exciting new direction for Jaguar. Its purpose is to highlight our all-new aluminium architecture. With this technical foundation, we will dramatically expand Jaguar's product offering, market potential and customer appeal. This new philosophy will bring technology from our luxury products into an accessible price segment, and when combined with our new ultra-efficient engines, we will set a global standard. Add to these rational values, the class-leading dynamics, and the beauty and purity of form that Jaguar is renowned for, and we have the formula for a monumental leap forward."

Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar

Jaguar's first product from the new iQ[Al] architecture will be a new premium C/D segment sedan. Its global rollout will begin in 2015, and it will be the first aluminium monocoque product in the segment.

Power will be provided by engines with a wide range of capacities and output, all delivering inspirational performance and offering the latest innovations in fuel-efficient technologies without sacrificing drivability. These will include the high-output petrol and diesel engines to be built at Jaguar Land Rover's new engine manufacturing facility in the UK, as well as the powerful V6 petrol engine in the F-TYPE, which will provide best-in-class specific power output thanks to the lightweight architecture. These attributes will enable Jaguar to offer a wider variety of vehicles, with exhilarating performance, top speeds of over 300km/h (186mph), as well as emissions below 100g of CO2 per kilometre.

The C-X17 concept illustrates the diversity of vehicles that could be produced using the architecture. A four-seater sports crossover concept built on the aluminium-intensive architecture, it blends sleek lines, sporting design and luxurious sophistication with enhanced flexibility and an assured driving position. In its exciting proportions, purity of form and its beautiful lines - overseen by Director of Design Ian Callum - the C-X17 is every inch a Jaguar.

The C-X17 could offer refined on-road dynamics and sedan car-like handling, thanks to its low height, optimised centre of gravity, and use of cutting-edge dynamic technologies such as Torque Vectoring by Braking, in which the car intelligently uses its brake system to balance the distribution of engine torque to the wheels during cornering, reducing understeer and maximising grip.

"We designed the C-X17 from the ground up from a distinct set of principles, a deep sense of what makes a Jaguar: exciting proportions, clean lines, balance of form. Assertive and powerful, yet with a beautiful sensuality about it, the C-X17 is boldly, distinctively Jaguar."

Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar

At 4,718mm long and 1,649mm tall, its dimensions are clearly that of a crossover, yet in its design it shares strong family traits with Jaguar's current range. For instance, the grille is an evolution of the distinctive nose of the Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, while the sculptured haunch lines hint strongly of the award-winning design of the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car. A low-sitting stance and overall profile combine with 23-inch alloy wheels to give the C-X17 a sporting, aggressive presence, while the LED headlamps, J-shaped running lights and frosted-glass foglights set into the large front intakes add to the C-X17's purposeful intent. The C-X17 is painted in a lustrous Caesium Blue finish, with gloss black brightwork surrounding the windows, while the split five-spoke alloys are Dark Atlas graphite with gloss black finishers.

The interior of the C-X17 features four individual bucket seats, which are luxuriously appointed, yet designed for a sculpted, lightweight appearance. The car's unique roof features contoured vanes that provide a distinctive 'elliptical' panoramic view to the C-X17's passengers, while retaining the roof's sleek appearance from the exterior. Two additional rear-mounted leisure seats incorporated in the boot floor swing out for recreational use. Accessories that support an active lifestyle, such as a torch and a camera, are positioned in storage compartments in the boot.

The interior of the C-X17 marries premium, authentic materials and traditional craftsmanship with modern finishing techniques. It features a combination of Jet saddle Connolly leather and Orchid Connolly leather on the instrument panel, seats, armrests, doors, floor and in the boot, with stitching on the saddle leather creating a tactile feel. A subtle layered effect is created through the use of die-cut Houndstooth-pattern leather patches on the main leather panels. Ruthenium, milled aluminium and black brushed anodised metal finishes impart a darker tonal effect to the C-X17's interior. The door finish is gloss black.

A centre tunnel running the length of the car, from the instrument panel through to the rear passenger seats, incorporates the Interactive Surface Console - an interactive multi-passenger infotainment hub with a series of touchscreens under a continuous panel of transparent acrylic glass, which in conjunction with the secure in-car wi-fi network, enables the vehicle's passengers to connect and share experiences with each other and the outside world via social media. The C-X17's premium in-car digital audio system has been specially designed for the vehicle by British specialist audio firm Meridian, and the car's centre console is configured for a Head Up Display projector.

ALL-NEW ALUMINIUM ARCHITECTURE: UNDERPINNING THE FUTURE

iQ[Al] is not just a vehicle architecture, it is a completely new philosophy that underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand, enabling Jaguar to significantly grow its product portfolio, targeting high-growth areas of the premium market in global markets.

The first Jaguar to be delivered from the new architecture will be a new C/D segment premium sedan, which will be rolled-out globally from 2015. The first aluminium monocoque product in its segment, the new sedan will be produced at an all-new, ultra high-tech production facility in Solihull, creating new jobs and substantial opportunities for the supplier base.

The aluminium-intensive architecture will be modular and scalable, providing a high degree of flexibility and making it possible to produce a wider bandwidth of models and derivatives than ever before. It is lightweight, extremely stiff and incorporates innovative technologies that emphasises Jaguar's commitment to sustainability, such as a new high-strength alloy made from almost 100% recycled raw material.

The architecture is being carefully developed to fully incorporate all the vehicle attributes established by Jaguar engineers. All products will perform like true Jaguars, the flexibility and scope of the architecture guaranteeing the individual character of each one. Jaguar design and engineering teams collaborated closely on its development from the outset to ensure versatility of design combined with fully competitive interior packaging.

The flexibility that this architecture will provide, means Jaguar designers and engineers can apply the philosophy "anything we can imagine, we can create," to deliver a new portfolio of products less restricted by technical or manufacturing constraints. The new architecture will allow Jaguar to move into higher volume production, without compromising the unique character, breath-taking design, outstanding vehicle dynamics, performance and luxury that Jaguar is famous for. The flexibility of the new architecture will enable the manufacture of different products on the same production line at the same time. The highly efficient, state-of-the-art production process will allow rapid response to variations in market demand for individual models by balancing production volume accordingly.

POWERTRAINS

Future Jaguars will be powered by engines with a wide range of capacities and output, all delivering inspirational performance and offering the latest innovations in fuel-efficient technologies, without sacrificing drivability or feel. The new sedan will be the first vehicle to be equipped with all-new four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, allowing Jaguar to break the 100g CO2/km barrier for the first time. These advanced, high-output engines will be built at Jaguar Land Rover's new engine production facility, currently under construction in Wolverhampton in the UK as part of a £500 million investment, which will be operational from 2015.

These vehicles are also designed to be powered by the powerful V6 petrol engine seen in the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car, which, combined with the lightweight architecture, will bestow them with best-in-class specific power output as in the F-TYPE. Together, the family of engines will offer the best of both worlds and deliver all-encompassing capabilities: sporting performance and class-leading fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

C-X17 DYNAMICS: FLEET-FOOTED AND SURE-FOOTED

As a sports crossover, the C-X17 concept is positioned as a driver's car. It has an on-road bias, and its low height, optimised centre of gravity and lightweight all-aluminium body endow it with superior, car-like driving dynamics and a level of agility that would make it quite at home on the fastest roads. The C-X17 also features cutting-edge dynamic technologies such as Torque Vectoring by Braking, a system which constantly monitors the vehicle's cornering dynamics and, when required, intelligently uses the brake system to rebalance the distribution of engine torque to the wheels, in order to reduce understeer and maximise grip.

With its 213mm ground clearance and intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the C-X17 could also offer reassuring capability and enhanced grip on poor roads and in varying weather conditions. Jaguar's intelligent All-Wheel Drive system continuously monitors grip levels and driver inputs and uses feed-forward torque distribution to both pre-empt and react to wheel-slip, providing greater driver confidence and vehicle stability in low-grip conditions. In normal grip conditions, the system predominantly delivers drive to the rear wheels, providing the dynamic driving experience all Jaguars are renowned for.

EXTERIOR DESIGN: BEAUTY OF PROPORTION

With a crossover being a new journey for Jaguar, Director of Design Ian Callum and his team were clear that the C-X17 would not compromise on the time-honoured values of Jaguar car design: purity of form, beauty of line and balance of proportion. Even as it subscribed to the practicalities expected of the crossover category, the C-X17 had to be stylish, sporty and exciting. It had to instantly stand out from the crowd, yet retain the sense of timeless sophistication that is typically Jaguar.

The C-X17 has dynamic yet perfectly balanced proportions, with the low profile and large wheels giving it a powerful, planted stance. In terms of form, it is sleek and fast, relying on pure lines rather than exaggeration or showmanship. The long bonnet's twin 'power bulges' and prominent grille impart a muscular look. The headlamps hint at the C-X17's sedan siblings while the grille is inspired by the XJ, resulting in a distinctive family look that is reassuringly familiar yet uniquely appealing. The grille features a hexagonal pattern, with small aluminium panels within its structure that can close to enhance the vehicle's aerodynamic properties.

The C-X17's twin 'heartlines' are clearly visible when viewed in profile. Two clean and simple design lines, with a subtle crease in the metal to catch the light, visually tie together the C-X17's shoulder and haunch. The accentuated length of the windows adds to the vehicle's overall sense of sleekness.

The rear of the vehicle has a distinctive touch of sports car about it, with the haunch, taillights and detailing all bringing to mind the seductive Jaguar

F-TYPE. The C-X17's roofline swoops quickly rearwards, culminating in a distinctive cantilevered spoiler over a steeply raked rear window that enhances the crossover's sporting, 'fast-even-at-standstill' appearance.

The exterior paint finish is a lustrous Caesium Blue, and the window liners are gloss black, with the only brightwork on the vehicle being the badging at each end, lending the car a darker, sportier look. The large 23-inch wheels, which enhance the C-X17's solid stance, are a one-off design with five split spokes. They have a Dark Atlas graphite grey finish with gloss black finishers on the spokes.

INTERIOR DESIGN: CRAFTSMANSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY

"The C-X17's design is timeless, yet absolutely up-to-the-minute. Artisan treatment meets modern techniques in an innovative cabin full of luxurious touches and cutting-edge technical ideas."

Julian Thomson, Director of Advanced Design, Jaguar

The interior of the C-X17 blends high-end interactive technology with premium, traditionally crafted materials, resulting in a spacious, airy, luxurious and sophisticated cabin.

The C-X17 seats four passengers in individual bucket seats. The seating position is relatively low for a crossover, giving the occupants a feeling of sitting deep within the cabin. The seats are lightweight units with a sculpted free-standing appearance, visually enhancing the airiness of the cabin.

The spacious boot incorporates two leisure seats that swing up and out of the boot floor for use when the car is stopped and the rear hatch opened. Solidly constructed from milled aluminium and finished in Connolly saddle leather, these seats swing outwards on a beautifully engineered hinge to provide a practical seating area when the car is stationary. Accessories that support an active lifestyle, such as a torch and a camera, are positioned in leather holsters, in storage compartments located in the boot.

Panoramic sculpted roof

The sense of openness inside the cabin is heightened by the C-X17's unique panoramic roof. The designers of the C-X17 have constructed the interior of the roof from a series of sculpted vanes running from front to rear, closely arranged in parallel and integrated into the header and cant rails. They are contoured on the lower side to generate extra headroom, and shaped to create a ring of space that enables a whole-roof view of the sky above, giving the occupants a sense of openness. The topside of the vanes follows the smooth profile of the glass roof, maintaining the sleek exterior lines of the C-X17.

Premium two-tone leather trim

The interior of the C-X17 is a juxtaposition of premium traditional materials and modern finishing techniques. Designers drew inspiration from a variety of sources, from extruded aluminium lampshades and lattice-framed stools to premium leather shoes, jackets and handbags, which favoured strong colour contrasts.

Accordingly, the seats, instrument panel, floors, doors and boot are finished in an overlapping combination of Jet saddle leather and Orchid leather panels. Renowned British leather specialist Connolly, the benchmark name in premium automotive cabin craftsmanship, created the bespoke leather panels specially for the C-X17. The 3mm-thick saddle leather, which features bands of stitching to increase the passenger's tactile experience of these surfaces, is die-cut in a Houndstooth pattern inspired by traditional tailoring materials, lending the interior of the car a classy yet contemporary feel.

The interior door finish is gloss black, while for the interior metal finishes, ruthenium (a member of the platinum family) is used instead of brightwork, creating a darker, more tonal effect that suits the subtle, premium feel of the cabin.

Multi-passenger interactivity

The C-X17 takes interactivity to a new level with the unique Interactive Surface Console that runs the length of the car's centre tunnel, from the centre console of the dashboard through to the rear seats. Made up of a series of interconnecting touch screens encased in transparent acrylic glass, the Interactive Surface Console connects those in the rear cabin with the driver and front seat passengers via a secure in-car Wi-Fi network.

The Interactive Surface Console allows the vehicle occupants to upload pictures, video and sound files from their mobile devices and share them with their fellow passengers, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media channels. Using the touchscreens and an intuitive user interface, information can be 'flicked' forwards and rearwards between the front and the rear passengers. By enabling sharing, both in terms of technology and information,between the occupants of the C-X17, the Interactive Surface Console puts as much focus on the rear compartment as on the front and immerses all four passengers in a unified multisensory experience.

The C-X17 features a 28-loudspeaker system specifically developed for the vehicle by British ultra-premium audio experts Meridian. Designed closely in conjunction with the development of the C-X17's interior, the system draws on Meridian's award-winning digital sound processing technology. Trifield technology creates an all-enveloping sound field that makes each listener feel that the music is exclusively focused on him or her. With sub-woofer drive units in the rear centre tunnel, dashboard-mounted tweeters, speakers in the A and B pillars, twin door speakers, rear speakers, and head-height speakers situated in the tops of the front seat head rests, this unique system enables every occupant of the C-X17 to enjoy optimum, authentic sound for an exceptional in-car audio experience.

The C-X17's instrument panel has a twin-dial configurable TFT console with provision for a Head Up Display - a system which projects vital information onto the windscreen for the driver to process quickly, akin to the systems used in modern fighter aircraft.

The gearshift has a rotary dial, finished in ruthenium, which rises on activation and serves as the interface to toggle between driving modes such as Road, Sport or All-Road. Milled aluminium vents on the console, seats and doors mirror the pattern of the grille mesh.

C-X17 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions (mm)

Length 4718

Wheelbase 2905

Height 1649

Width1959

Ground clearance 213

"The 2014 XJ represents the summit of Jaguar's luxury saloon range. The XJ's unparalleled breadth of talent combines class-leading levels of luxury, comfort and performance with the elegant, contemporary design for which Jaguar is renowned."

Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar

SUMMARY

The 2014 model year Jaguar XJ is the latest in a long line of luxurious Jaguar sports saloons, incorporating enhanced rear cabin luxury features, comfort and in-car technology to create a truly elegant and contemporary luxury Jaguar.

The Jaguar XJ is offered with a choice of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder i4 turbocharged petrol engine, diesel and supercharged petrol 3.0-litre V6 engines and four 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines, one normally aspirated and three supercharged.

The 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine, which has been developed from the award-winning 5.0-litre V8, powers Jaguar's 'intelligent' All-Wheel Drive system which continuously monitors grip levels and driver inputs to provide maximum traction in all conditions.

The 2.0-litre i4 turbocharged petrol engine, now available with Jaguar's Intelligent Stop/Start system, uses a range of state-of-the-art technologies for power generation that belies its size. It produces 240PS and 340Nm thanks to the use of three key innovations - low-inertia turbocharging, direct fuel-injection and variable timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts.

These engines, as well as the other XJ variants, are mated to Jaguar's eight-speed automatic gearbox which offers a broad spread of ratios for a perfectly balanced combination of smooth-shifting, economy and driver control.

The long-wheelbase models feature enhanced rear cabin luxury features which include 'airline' style reclining seats with massage function, increased headroom*, fold-out business tables and a specially re-tuned rear suspension set-up to enhance rear seat ride comfort.

*Not for the US market

The entertainment system has been enhanced with a Rear Seat Entertainment package featuring two hi-resolution touchscreens, and optional premium Meridian Reference Audio System with Conversation Assist.

The 14MY XJ's luxurious feel is underlined by the palette of materials used on the interior. This includes Bond grain, soft grain and semi-aniline leather, and a wide choice of veneers including Piano Black, Carbon Fibre, Gloss Burr Walnut and Satin Rosewood. The 14MY XJ also features a range of wheels including the newly designed Manra 18-inch lightweight forged alloy.

The 14MY 'R' version of the XJ incorporates bespoke chassis and aerodynamic developments to create the most focused, agile and responsive XJR ever. Seamless performance from its 550PS/680Nm, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine makes the XJR capable of accelerating from zero to 60mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 174mph (280km/h).

"With a dynamic set-up tuned for both performance and incredible comfort, the new XJR brings immense breadth of capability to the segment, creating the ultimate high-performance luxury saloon car."

Andrew Dobson, Chief Programme Engineer, Jaguar XJ

ENHANCED INTERIOR FEATURES

The 2014 XJ features a range of enhanced interior features focussed on the rear cabin of the car, which upgrade both the luxury and functionality of the XJ's rear environment, resulting in the most accomplished Jaguar luxury saloon.

The rear passenger compartment of the 2014 LWB car includes two individual 'airline style' reclining seats which both feature cushion and squab adjustment, three massage programs - Wave/Rolling, Lumbar and Shoulder - to provide optimum levels of relaxation during long journeys, lumbar adjustment and two memory settings for each seat. The total recline adjustment of each seat is 11 degrees, with 103mm lateral cushion movement and 14 degrees of upper articulation movement. The rear seat home positioning setting returns each seat to its home position at the touch of a button on the door panel, easing entry and exit.

The new centre armrest, which can be stowed in the upright position to allow the use of the centre seat, houses all the seat controls as well as the Front Seat Activation button which allows control of the front passenger seat from the rear.

Front seat enhancements include massage functions for each seat with five levels of intensity, allowing occupants to personalise their massage settings to their preference.

Through the use of the front touchscreen, any one of the four electric seats can be selected and then fully controlled via the driver's seat switches. The rear seats can be returned to their home position by the use of the touchscreen and driver's memory buttons, and can also be programmed to return to their home position on rear door opening for ease of entry and exit.

Rear-seat passengers in the LWB version of the 2014 XJ are provided with a wide range of entertainment features. The Rear Seat Entertainment package comprises two 10.2" high-resolution screens mounted on the back of the front seat headrests. These can display inputs from a number of sources; the DVD player, digital TV tuner or an external media player that can be synced through the Rear Media Interface, which provides USB and RCA connections. Audio can be transmitted through the wireless headphones, allowing each passenger to watch separate entertainment sources. The rear seat environment, including the entertainment, is managed by a wireless controller housed in the centre console which also allows passengers to alter their individual climate zones and seat heating and cooling functions.

The LWB XJ also features leather-surfaced business tables in the rear, which fold out of the seatbacks of the front seats. To keep rear seat passengers shielded from the sun, and to offer privacy, the XJ offers electric rear-side window blinds that are operated via the window lift switches. An increase in rear headroom* by 13mm gives rear-seat passengers the optimum in luxurious, limousine levels of comfort.

*Not for the US market

POWERTRAIN

The 2014 XJ engine range includes an ultra-efficient, high-powered 2.0-litre i4 turbocharged petrol engine, powerful and efficient 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines, as well as a 5.0-litre normally aspirated engine and three supercharged 5.0-litre units putting out 470PS, 510PS, and in the XJR, 550PS.

The XJ's 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine powers the car's All-Wheel Drive system which operates 'intelligently', continuously monitoring grip levels and driver inputs to both pre-empt and react to wheel-slip, enabling maximum traction in all conditions. At speed in normal grip conditions the AWD system delivers drive to the rear wheels, thus providing the dynamic driving experience that all Jaguars are renowned for, while also maximising powertrain efficiency in all weather and road conditions.

The 2.0-litre i4 turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 240PS and 340Nm of torque, is offered with Jaguar's Intelligent Stop/Start system for 14MY.

Eight-speed Transmission

Maximising the benefit of the engine calibration is the eight-speed automatic transmission, which brings out the performance of the XJ while still maintaining the car's composure in town and in low-speed driving environments.

When operating in automatic mode, the transmission can detect the manner in which the car is being driven by monitoring acceleration and braking, cornering forces, throttle and brake pedal activity, road load and kickdown request. On detecting a more enthusiastic driving style, the transmission will automatically make the gearshifts more aggressive and move the shift-up point higher in the rev range. Steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles give the driver higher levels of control.

Intelligent Stop/Start system

The 14MY XJ powered by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine now features Jaguar's Intelligent Stop-Start system, which uses a Twin Solenoid Starter (TSS) to shut down the engine when the car comes to a halt, and restart it in less time than it takes for the driver's foot to move from the brake to the accelerator.

The system offers 'change of mind' functionality, enabling the engine to quickly restart even during its rundown phase to allow the driver to, for example, exploit a gap in traffic at a junction. An illuminated 'ECO' symbol appears on the instrument panel when the engine has been stopped by the system. Intelligent Stop-Start can be turned off manually, but it will automatically be turned on again for the vehicle's next journey with every ignition cycle. The system operates in all modes apart from Reverse. The 14MY XJ has a secondary battery fitted specifically for engine re-starting, meaning that all the normal car systems - such as the entertainment system, the ventilation and lights - continue to receive power from the standard car battery and are unaffected by the re-start. In addition, a sophisticated control system ensures that the Stop/Start operation only occurs when the car does not require the engine for other functions.

EXTENDED NAVIGATION FEATURES

With the 14MY XJ, navigation is now available in nearly all the 101 markets that the XJ is sold in. A number of markets will now have an SD card based system, which uses the capacitive touch screen and integrates with the vehicle positioning systems to providing accurate and fast route guidance. As an industry first, a combination of Tracks4Africa and City Maps covering 15 African markets is offered.

REAR SUSPENSION ENHANCEMENTS

To underline its purpose in ensuring that passengers remain luxuriously cosseted at all times, the LWB version of the 14MY XJ features revisions to the rear suspension for optimised ride compliance, providing a smoother journey for rear seat occupants.

While this provides a truly relaxing experience for rear seat passengers, the XJ loses none of the model's core dynamic abilities and so is as rewarding to drive as it is to be driven in. The XJ's lightweight aluminium construction means a weight saving over its rivals of as much as 150kg, resulting in great advantages in terms of agility, acceleration, braking and driver feedback and involvement.

EXTERIOR FEATURES

14MY XJ customers can choose from an exterior palette comprising 15 colours: Polaris White, Ebony, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Lunar Grey, Rhodium Silver, Cashmere, Osmium Blue, Dark Sapphire, Caviar, Carnelian Red, Black Amethyst, Italian Racing Red, British Racing Green and Satellite Grey.

The 14MY XJ also features newly designed 18-inch Manra lightweight forged alloy wheels, and soft closing door technology which ensures that the doors of the XJ are securely closed with minimum exertion and undue noise.

MERIDIAN™ REFERENCE AUDIO SYSTEM

An optional range-topping 1300W Meridian™ Reference Audio System - with 26 super premium speaker drive units upgraded to reduce distortion and improve linearity - is available for the 14MY XJ.

The Meridian™ Reference Audio System incorporates two 80mm speakers and one 25mm tweeter set in the rear of the each of the front seats; this combined with the speaker drive unit upgrades delivers a concert-like experience for all vehicle occupants. The system also incorporates DEC, which is a progression of the successful Dynamic Volume Control (DVC). This utilises the microphones above each listening position to optimise the frequency response and level of the sound to compensate exactly for varying levels and types of noise registered.

The Meridian™ Reference Audio System is visually recognisable with unique badging on the doors and rear parcel shelf and also the red cones on the door speakers, which are visible through the speaker grilles.

Conversation Assist

Conversation Assist, which is only available with the Meridian™ Reference Audio System, utilises a microphone above each seating position and digital audio processing technology to reinforce the occupant's voice via the vehicle's audio system. This makes it much easier for occupants to be heard clearly by the other occupants in the vehicle above any cabin noise.

Conversation Assist can be activated whenever the infotainment system is on, whether audio sources are actively playing through the audio system or not, but the feature will not be active when in a phone call or voice session.

The 2013 AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, last weekend, saw Jaguar demonstrating not only its glorious motor racing past, but also showcasing innovation through technology and design with one of five C-X75 prototype hybrid supercars cars on static display in the main paddock area on site.

Visitors to the Jaguar hospitality zone within the paddock area at the Nürburgring had the opportunity to view the innovative Jaguar C-X75 up close. The Jaguar C-X75 is a state-of-the-art hybrid supercar with the efficiency of a low-emissions city car. It can emit less than 89g/km of CO2 and has a pure electric vehicle range of 60km. The C-X75 can hit 100mph from standstill in less than six seconds and has a top speed of 220mph. Its 502bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine is one of the world's highest specific power output powerplants at 313bhp per litre. The C-X75's two electric motors add a further 390bhp, for a combined output in excess of 850bhp.

The great achievements in the development of C-X75 prototypes - including cutting-edge hybrid technologies, carbon composite materials and advanced design solutions pioneered in association with Williams Advanced Engineering - will be utilised in other areas of research and development, innovative future products and next-generation engineering for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

As fans of Jaguar’s new F-type, we’re excited about the positive feedback the F-Type has generated in the media, especially as Jaguar has a lot riding on the new roadster.

EVO magazine UK gives the Jaguar F-Type V8 S a 4.5 rating calling it: “the most exciting British sports car in years”; whereas Autocar UK says: “There’s nothing basic about the entry level F-type”.

The Telegraph UK appears similarly impressed, stating that the two-seater soft top is “great looking, has a blood-curdling exhaust note and goes like a scalded (Coventry) cat.”

We think that sounds just purr-fect!

Today, Jaguar's Project 7 concept makes its dynamic debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“When you look at this car, it has got an enormous amount of appeal. It’s just full of desire – you can see that its sole purpose is to be enjoyed. Project 7 is a very special car – not just because it’s a one-off, but because of its purity of purpose. It’s pure Jaguar.”

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar

Based on Jaguar’s acclaimed F-Type, Project 7 is a brand-new design study. A 550PS version of Jaguar’s 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 engine propels the sports car up to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 186 mph, and the two-seater convertible’s blue paintwork is reminiscent of the victorious Jaguar D-types of 1956/1957.

We are very excited by this new development and hope Project 7 may lead to a repeat performance of Jaguar’s record seven wins at Le Mans.

See below a sneak peak of Project 7 completing its final shakedown before Goodwood (and, if you look carefully, you may even see a D-type in the film).

When in 2010 Jaguar unveiled the C-X75 concept to celebrate its 75th anniversary, it was the beginning of a new chapter in innovation and technological advancement. In just two years, Jaguar and development partner Williams Advanced Engineering, have evolved the car from a design study to a fully working prototype.

“The C-X75 programme represents the pinnacle of Jaguar's engineering and design expertise. It is arguably the world's fastest test-bed for the world's most advanced technologies, combining as it does a remarkable hybrid powertrain with awe-inspiring performance. Jaguar is always looking to shape the cars of tomorrow and with projects like C-X75 we are laying the foundations for the next generation of Jaguar innovations.” - Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar

The beautiful C-X75 is extraordinary in every way. It’s an all-wheel drive, plug-in parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with the world's highest specific power engine and Jaguar's first carbon composite monocoque chassis.

Although, as a result of the global economic climate, in 2012 it was decided that the C-X75 would not enter full production, it was clear that it was a powerful showcase for Jaguar’s world-leading expertise; proving that the future of high-performance, low-emission driving can be exciting in every way.

With a 220mph top speed, the C-X75 is also capable of producing less than 89g of CO2 per kilometre, and can run with zero emissions for up to 60km.

The C-X75 programme demonstrates Jaguar's technical leadership at the very cutting-edge of automotive development and manufacturing, and allows Jaguar to stake an even stronger claim as the UK's most significant investor in innovative technology.

The great achievements in the development of C-X75 will be utilised in other areas of research and development, innovative future products and next-generation engineering for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

AT-A-GLANCE

• The Jaguar C-X75 is a state-of-the-art hybrid supercar with the efficiency of a low-emissions city car.
• The C-X75 can hit 100mph from standstill in less than six seconds and has a top speed of 220mph.
• It can emit less than 89g/km of CO2 and has a pure electric vehicle range of 60km.
• Its 502bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine is one of the world's highest specific power output power plants at 313bhp per litre.
• The C-X75's two electric motors add a further 390bhp, for a combined output in excess of 850bhp

Spotted: the prototype of Jaguar’s new F-Type Coupe being road tested under heavy disguise.

There’s no denying that we’re very excited about Jag's stylish new sports car; even with the camouflage it’s looking good!

Jaguar has made no secret of the fact a coupe will follow the convertible and it’s expected that the car will go into production sometime in 2014.

The German motoring publication Auto Motor und Sport, recently published a leaked patent drawing of what is believed to be the production version of the F-Type Coupe. Rumour has it that the new F-Type will rival Porche’s iconic 911 Turbo and Audi’s R8 V10.

Purr-fect!

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, has been declared Interior Designer of the Year in the Automotive Interiors Expo Awards.

Commenting on the news, Callum said: “It’s an honour to receive this award. I find it hugely gratifying that I and Jaguar Design are being recognised for interior design.

“The interiors of Jaguars have always been very special places for me personally, and so it has been essential to create new, fresh ideas, while maintaining the warmth and fun that is true to the brand. We set out to create interior environments that not only work well, but create a sense of theatre and occasion. I am very proud of my team, having achieved this with such conviction and clarity in all of our current products: the XF and XJ saloons, the XK and, of course, the new F-TYPE sports car.”

Born in Dumfries, Scotland, Ian studied Industrial Design at Glasgow School of Art and tailored his talents with a two-year course in Automobile Design at the Royal College of Art.

His outstanding performance at the Royal College of Art led to him being recruited by Ford in 1978 and he spent 12 years working in the company's design studios, before going on to work at Ghia, TWR and Aston Martin.

Ian joined Jaguar in 1999 and under his direction, Jaguar Design have taken the brand into an exciting new era. Following concepts including the R-Coupe, RD-6 and Advanced Lightweight Coupe, within the space of just three years the Jaguar production range changed completely. The first of the new era of Jaguars was the aluminium-bodied XK, this being followed by the XF and current XJ saloons - each representing a further iteration of the marque’s bold new design language. That new design language has been further defined with the recently launched F-TYPE two-seater sports car.

Ian has received five honorary doctorates from universities around the world as well as being honoured as a Royal Designer for Industry by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

Movie star Steve McQueen famously said: “Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Indeed McQueen’s passion for fast cars and racing will forever live on in his movies such as Bullit and Le Mans.

McQueen’s love for speed and his enviable collection of exotic sports cars were renown; amongst his cars was a 1957 Jaguar XKSS Roadster that McQueen must have been quite fond of as he purchased the vehicle twice. He first purchased the XKSS in 1959, sold it in 1969, and repurchased it in 1977. After that, the XKSS remained in McQueen’s personal garage until the actor’s death in 1980.

McQueen’s XKSS has the beautiful Moto-Lita D-Type steering wheel and it’s the only XKSS with polished wheels. The car also features a number of modifications requested by McQueen. First, he had the car painted British racing green. Secondly, he replaced the original interior with black leather, a custom job executed by Tony Nancy – world-famous drag racer, automobile upholsterer, designer and builder of hotrods. Thirdly, McQueen had a lockable door fitted to the glove compartment as the XKSS’ were delivered without one. For this job McQueen turned to his friend and pin-striper Von Dutch, who is famous for customizing vehicles. All these modifications make this 1957 Jaguar XKSS one of a kind.

Only 16 Jaguar XKSS’ were built before the factory and the moulds were destroyed by fire.

McQueen called his XKSS the Green Rat, and true to form, he drove it fast. While driving it, McQueen had his drivers licence suspended twice.

At the core, the XKSS is a limited edition, on road version, of the Jaguar D-Type racing car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956, and 1957.

After Jaguar withdrew from racing, a number of D-type chassis remained at the Browns Lane factory; Sir William Lyons resolved to recoup some of the costs by converting a number of them to full road-going specifications.

Though the changes remained minimal such as a larger windscreen, a folding soft-top, a passenger side door, luggage grid and extra luxury trim, the vehicles did appeal to the lucrative American market for high-performance European sports cars.

Today the Steve McQueen 1957 Jaguar XKSS is owned by the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Of the original 16 XKSS' 12 were in attendance.

Purr-fect!

A stunning new art installation, inspired by Jaguar design and created by Royal College of Art students Ewan Gallimore and Claire Miller, was unveiled to an exclusive audience at the opening of the Clerkenwell Design Week, which runs in London from 21–23 May 2013.

The installation was created by RCA students in association with Jaguar’s Advanced Design team in Whitley, Coventry, using many of the technologies and facilities employed in the creation of Jaguar concept cars and production designs.

Jaguar, which is the primary sponsor of Clerkenwell Design Week, approached both the MA Vehicle Design and MA Textile Design Departments of the Royal College of Art with a brief to create a joint exterior and interior form study which expresses their vision of future Jaguar Design Language in either a sports or luxury context.

According to Ewan and Claire, “Jaguar has a long history of ground-breaking design so we knew we needed to create something truly special to catch the eye of Jaguar Advanced Design Director, Julian Thomson. We began the project by looking at light, specifically the way the light falls within the space at Clerkenwell. We thought about how our form could accentuate this light and convey volume through its use of materials and our knowledge of how these materials react with one another.”

Clerkenwell is the UK’s leading independent design festival.

Purr-fect!