Frankfurt show: Here is Jaguar’s first SUV

JAGUAR has published another image of its new C-X17 luxury SUV concept, two days ahead of its global debut at a pre-show event in Frankfurt.

The official reveal comes shortly after a separate frontal image was leaked, then published through official channels. This new front-side shot of Jag’s first high-riding model shows the car’s sporting intent, with a low-slung profile and prominent body sculpting.

Last week’s leak of the frontal image showed us the car’s feline headlights with boomerang LEDs, a signature large rectangular mesh grille, gaping air intakes on the lower part of the fascia, a large red Jaguar logo and aggressive bonnet contours.  Both images complement the official rendering revealed early last week, which illustrated the concept’s curved, shapely SUV profile and tailgate-mounted spoiler. One highlight not evident in the latest image is the first teaser’s wrap-around tail-light, offset with the leaping cat stretched out above a more stylised-looking “Jaguar” spelt out in individual letters across the rear.  If reports are true, Jaguar has registered the name XQ for its new rival to the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and even the Range Rover Evoque from sister company Land Rover.

As we know, the SUV concept will premiere the new modular platform that will underpin Jaguar’s next generation of cars. Also believed to be on the cars for the now Indian-owned brand is a small sedan rival for the BMW 3 Series to complement the larger XF.  The all-aluminium platform, using the same material as the British luxury brand’ s XJ flagship and F-Type two-seater, “underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand”, according to the car-maker.  According to Autocar, all Jaguar’s will use all-aluminium construction by 2017. The XJ flagship has used bonded-and-riveted aluminium for a decade, and sister company Range Rover is an industry leader with the lightweight material, but premium German rivals are gaining ground.  The C-X17 will star on Jaguar’s stand at the Frankfurt motor show starting next week. Also appearing will be the 404kW/680Nm XJR that arrives in Australia in December, and the XFR-S which is powered by the same engine and also scheduled for a local berth by the end of the year.