TALK OF A ROADSTER joining the Jaguar line-up has been doing the rounds since early this year, but with reports of Jaguar still feeling the effects of the economic downturn, the prospect began to look more than a little remote.
This week, Jaguar’s chief engineer Mick Mohan told British magazine Autocar that while a ‘XE’ roadster model is being considered, it’s one of several potential models the luxury carmaker is looking at - including a smaller, more affordable coupe.
“I’d love to make a compact coupe; an Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series Coupe rival,” Mohan said.
“There’s plenty of profit to be made on those cars, and our aluminium platform technology gives us the opportunity to make one. I think we’d make a really good one too.”
Mohan said that before plans for any future models can move forward, the carmaker needs to sit tight and watch how the new XJ flagship performs in showrooms.
He said that the next 12 months will be crucial in deciding where the company goes next. “And we’ve got no shortage of ideas at the moment,” he said.
Jaguar and partner Land Rover have been working on hybrid technology in recent months, with Jaguar last week revealing details of its XJ Limo Green plug-in hybrid.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ is due to land in Australian showrooms in the second quarter of next year, starting at $193,800.
[Autocar]
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AUD $193800 is around $240000 kiwibux… That’s a good $90,000 more than the current XJ… at the same time that’s worse than honda and toyota’s ridiculous price explosions put together, just HOW MUCH profit does jag need? :/
Or would XJ demos and 1 year old preowns drop cheap like other supersedans like Lexus LS and BMW 7 series?
I just hope it looks different from the XF and XJ and XK. The whole idea of making luxury cars is that each range of cars should have a different sense of character from the other ranges, from exterior, interior and drive which you do get from Jag’s XK, XF and XJ. don’ think a car from Jaguar that looks too similar to XF, XJ would go down as an innovative design. look at BMW’s, Merc and Audi’s they practically look the same, just a bit grown up but its hardly inspirational or thoughtful design. Good Luck!