Frankfurt show: Jag SUV outed – sort of

JAGUAR’S first crossover SUV has been partially revealed by a leaked studio image ahead of its world debut on September 9.

The British-based brand confirmed its intention to reveal the car by publishing an official teaser earlier this week of a concept entitled C-X17.

The full frontal image you see here was first published by website Carscoops, and clearly shows the 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.

This complements the official rendering revealed earlier in the week, which illustrated the concept’s curved, shapely SUV profile andtailgate-mounted spoiler, alluding to the jacked-up Jag having sporty aspirations.

One highlight was the 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.