Jaguar displays clay artistry

IN THE lead-up to the launch in 2013 of the long-awaited F-Type, Jaguar is showcasing the art of clay modelling at a London design event this week using the one-off C-X16 concept car that points the way to the spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type.

Jaguar UK says its skilled clay modellers will be working on a full size model at the Clerkenwell Design Week to reveal the artistry involved in sculpting the cars of the future.

While car-makers are increasingly replacing clay modellers in the switch to computer-aided design (CAD), Jaguar Cars advanced design director Julian Thomson said it was important to combine the old with the new.

“Jaguar is one of the most technologically advanced companies in the field of product development, but we still believe in the sense of artistry,” he said.

“Emotional connections are at the heart of our vehicles and the traditional process of working with clay with some of the best sculptors in the world allows us to refine them into the purest surfaces.”

Joining the C-X16 clay model at this week’s London event – for which Jaguar is the major sponsor – are three bespoke sculptures that show the past, present and future of the famous Indian-owned British brand.

Commissioned by Mr Thomson and painted by two designers from the Jaguar design team, the artwork is based on the bonnets of an E-type, C-X16 and the C-X75 hybrid-powered supercar, which Jaguar revealed at the 2010 Paris motor show and is expected to build in limited numbers within two years.

The company has also displayed the still-born XJ13, which was built in 1966 with the aim of returning Jaguar to Le Mans after dominating the 24 Hour classic in the 1950s. However, the project was abandoned after building and testing this lone mid-engined prototype that now resides in the company museum.

Jaguar last month finally confirmed its plan to build the long-awaited F-Type two-seat sportscar.

It will initially be built as a convertible to go on sale in mid-2013, with Australian deliveries beginning soon after, but a coupe version is expected as early as 2014.