Friday 19th November 2004

New Jag spotted on A46?

Spy shot by PHer shows Coventry car in disguise

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PHer tvrman has spotted what appears to be a new Jaguar in disguise testing on the A46. From the shape, it could be the XK8/R's replacement.

The pics were snapped on a mobile's camera, so apologies for the less-than-perfect quality. Any more information about the car gratefully received.

[sublimatica]

For some reason it makes me think "Aston" rather than Jag. Dunno enough about either to know whether I'm barking up completely the wrong tree...

A harder-edged XK8 would be nice. It's always seemed a little jellymould to me.

[Dunno]

Looks like a ricer Supra to me LOL, I agree a bit non jelly-ish would be cool and an LSD wouldn't go a miss if you've ever driven the R version.

[Twin Turbo]

This months Top Gear mag has the low-down (and pictures) of the XK8/R replacement.

Haven't read the article yet, but the mule they spotted looks very much like these pictures.

[FourWheelDrift]

sublimatica said:

For some reason it makes me think "Aston" rather than Jag.

Exactly what I thought when I looked at the 2nd photo, sort of DB9'ish.

[Twin Turbo]

Well, the new Jag has been designed by Ian Callum (Mr DB7/Vanquish).

I'm hoping it's a stunner. Should give the new "small" Aston a good run for its money

[996 turbo]

I saw it this morning too coming out of Meridan. First thing I thought was baby Aston. It was really heavily taped-up though so it could have been anything. Mind you I don't remember any special sounds so it could be a Jag. Didn't snap any pictures unfortunatly.

Cheers, Steve, 996TT

[robdickinson]

Well as the DB7 and XK8 shared a platform do we think this will share the AMV8 or DB9 platform then?

Or be a boring steel body?

[White_Van_Man]

tut tut ian using your phone while driving:P

[GavinPearson]

It is going southbound from the Whitley roundabout to the A45/A46 junction. I'd say it was more than likely to be a Jag.

Now an interestingish fact for those that know the road...

Back in the day when Jag was independent and we were working on some fast cars, the A45 bridge over the A46 used to be accepted as a speed marker and a measure of the vehicle's performance was the peak speed attained as you went under the bridge after you'd come off the Whitley roundabout.

150 mph was not unusual.....

[Cadillac Man]

The car is none other than the 2005 Ford Mustang.

Remember, Ford owns Jaguar.

Sorry guys, but I see what I see. No idea why they would go to such lengths to disguise it, except that most in the British and European markets are unaware of its existence.

Suspect Ford are planning to release the new Mustang over there for 2006...

- Phil Smith
Parkersburg, WV USA

[Peter Ward]

GavinPearson said:

Back in the day when Jag was independent and we were working on some fast cars, the A45 bridge over the A46 used to be accepted as a speed marker and a measure of the vehicle's performance was the peak speed attained as you went under the bridge after you'd come off the Whitley roundabout. 150 mph was not unusual.....

Good for you!! Now of course there'll be a talivan sitting there.....

[Twin Turbo]

As far as I understand, the new XK8 will use a version of the new XJ8's aluminium spaceframe chassis.

Oh, and I'd be VERY suprised if this is a Mustang!

Still, been wrong before......be wrong again

[thirsty]

Cadillac Man said:

The car is none other than the 2005 Ford Mustang. Remember, Ford owns Jaguar. Sorry guys, but I see what I see. No idea why they would go to such lengths to disguise it, except that most in the British and European markets are unaware of its existence. Suspect Ford are planning to release the new Mustang over there for 2006... - Phil Smith Parkersburg, WV USA

From the side it certainly looks like it. However, the tail lights are very different. Looks like Ford plans to use the same platform.

[Twin Turbo]

So I was right then

[Robocop]

I like the part in the Top Gear write-up, about the fact that the velcro lines that go all the way up to the roof on the C-pillar, hint at a possible fast back rather than a boot

You can see them in tvrman's photo's too!

Rgds

[Twin Turbo]

The new "baby" Aston is also 'sposed to have a hatch rather than a boot.

As long as the structual regidity isn't too compromised (and it shouldn't be, as both the Jag and the Aston use nice strong aluminium chassis), then it should add a bit of practicality too

[tvrman]

White_Van_Man said:

tut tut ian using your phone while driving:P

I wasn't driving while taking the picture.....If I only I got a picture of the 3 car pile which happened in front of me on the M4 earlier that day!!!

Ian

[v8thunder]

One of these days, I'm going to cover the Punto in binbags and drive around the highways and byways, then buy copies of Autocar, Auto Express and so on to see if I've fooled anyone.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was last-minute tweaking to the AMV8, personally.

[Cadillac Man]

thirsty said:

Cadillac Man said: The car is none other than the 2005 Ford Mustang. Remember, Ford owns Jaguar. Sorry guys, but I see what I see. No idea why they would go to such lengths to disguise it, except that most in the British and European markets are unaware of its existence. Suspect Ford are planning to release the new Mustang over there for 2006... - Phil Smith Parkersburg, WV USA From the side it certainly looks like it. However, the tail lights are very different. Looks like Ford plans to use the same platform.

This vehicle is so heavily disguised, it could be almost anything. However, the roofline and general stance do look remarkably like the new Mustang.

They went to a lot of trouble, using extra bulk under its 'coveralls' -- so why not change the taillights? For that matter, they may be using a slightly different design for the European/British market...

I could be wrong about this -- but only time will tell.

[Twin Turbo]

As much as I'd love Ford to sell the new Mustang over here, it seems unlikely, especially in RHD.

There are several companies already importing LHD models.

Same goes for the Corvette.

Oh, and if they did import them officially, we'd probably end up paying the same in £ as the American's pay in $, which makes them a bit less appealing.

>> Edited by Twin Turbo on Sunday 21st November 07:27