Monday 8th December 2003

Jaguar Renaissance

Sam Dawson puts the case for a XK120 successor

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A recent survey conducted by the Jaguar driver’s magazine revealed that younger, style-conscious car-buyers were more inclined to leave showrooms in Audi TTs, BMW Z4s and Mercedes-Benz SLKs than one of Jaguar’s X-Types. That comes as no surprise really as the X Type Saloon is a very different proposition to the stylish roadsters from teh opposition. But it does expose the gap in Jaguar's range. If they want to attract affluent young buyers what can they offer them currently?

Many people suggest that Jaguar need a true successor to the E Type to entice the market that Jaguar is chasing. Flash reps cars aren't going to achieve the same thing.

Jaguar themselves will try and convince you that the XK8 and XKR range are the E’s descendants, but to be honest, the ’96-on Jaguar XK range never really had the E-Type’s ‘British roadster’ edge, despite drawing heavily on it’s styling. The XK8 range is really the successor to the XJS, which itself had a hard act to follow. Traditionalists frowned upon it’s flabbiness, prevalent automatic and lack of straight-six growl. The reason for this is simple – the XJS didn’t just replace the E-Type. It was a result of ‘70s company rationalising and downsizing, replacing both the E-Type (by now, an overweight Series III V12), and the softer, more comfortable cruising coupe, the XJC.

Dynamically, the XJS was more suited to cruising down American boulevards than slotting between British hedgerows. The controls lacked feel and, despite the efforts of TWR, Race Tek and Lister throughout it’s 20-year career, the car was never as successful on the track as it’s ancestor.  The fact that so few were built with manual transmission (352 of 112,000) bears out its assumed role. The problem is that the XK8 is more XJS than E-Type – four seats, automatic transmission and a huge engine make it more of a rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL than the SLK.

For me, the most beautiful Jaguar was not the E-Type or XJC, but the XK120. Its plunging waistline and sensuously tapered bonnet, grille and tail epitomised for me the image of the leaping Jaguar. It’s engine was smaller than the E-Type’s, and the wheelbase and dimensions tauter, more compact and manageable. In short, it was the BMW Z-series of the 1950s. It was available in 2-seater and 2+2 Coupe and convertible forms, just like an Audi TT, and had a race-winning sibling in the C-Type.

Each time I see one, I imagine smoothing the styling into the Noughties – fairing the headlights in slightly, flattening the chrome, updating the interior, yet keeping it’s spirit without resorting to New-Beetle pastiche. Lines such as these reinforce the dull and sterile looks of the TT, or the downright crushed-origami ugliness of the Z4.

‘Poser’ accusations could be addressed immediately too, with six cylinder power on the entry level car, rather than the base Z4’s and TT’s in-line 1.8 litre fours. Basing it on a shortened X-Type chassis would give them all four-wheel drive to rival the TT Quattro. Jaguar have shown time and time again in recent years that they can draw upon classic Jag looks in their new cars and this would be the ultimate challenge.

Jaguar is currently working on a successor to the XK8/R, and has wheeled out some tantalising - but large - D and E-Type inspired designs, but none have had the gravitas of the XK-tribute R-Type coupe concept of 2001. That car, thinned down to TT-size, perhaps made a little more XK120 than 150 in the nose, waist and tail departments, would represent, for me, a far greater rennaissance for the sporting Jaguar than another XJS successor. Jaguar are missing a vital opportunity to regain an important part of its proud sporting heritage here, and it’s a crying shame. 

[Bodo]

Sam, your sentiments sound noble, but would Ford - sorry, Jaguar - be able to manufacture - sorry, market - anything else than yet another hairdresser car, that competes with TT, Z4, SLK, Boxster, etc.?

>>> Edited by Bodo on Monday 8th December 12:00

[FourWheelDrift]

The successor to the XK120 has already been made, in Germany as well!

www.wiesmann-auto-sport.de/

[chickensoup]

That the motoring public have successfully identified the X type as a mondeo should be championed as a victory of common sense over badge engineering.

Sadly it is the mass market that Ford seem to want to sell to. The F type should not have been canned, but it would have only been a minority interest car compared to a (near) rival to a BMW

[v8thunder]

I just got sick and tired of people describing Jags as 'old men's cars' when it was clear from their history that they used to be able to cater for everyone without resorting to hairdresser's posing pouches.
If Ford can engineer a new Mustang on an S-Type chassis that evokes the spirit of the original successfully and to acclaim, why can't they do the same with this?

[Simpo Two]

Theyv'e been trying to make a successor to the E-Type for 25 years and never managed it. I doubt they will now.

Once the XK180 and F-Type got binned, I rather gave up looking at their beautiful concept cars because I know they'll never make them... :sigh:

[LotusJPS]

The F-Type was supposed to fill this niche for Jaguar, and even looked a whole lot better. It's sad but true, it comes down to that no matter how boring saloons are, they simply sell better than sports cars. Truly messed up if you ask me, I would've gladly purchased an F-Type to go along with my XK.

[RichB]

LotusJPS said:

It's sad but true, it comes down to that no matter how boring saloons are, they simply sell better than sports cars.

Interesting comments on this thread, because an X type is one car I may consider driving. Two reasons, i) Both my wife and I have sports cars and we have a saloon for everyday use and for when we need some space. and ii) as she works for PAG I can choose from the more reasonable range of their products. Currently we drive a V70T5 Estate but have been tempted to switch to a Jaguar. Am I getting old or is this too sensibe, either way the Mondeo platform wouldn't put me off an X type as the Mondeo is a by all accounts very good platform from which to work from. Rich...

[johnywiz]

The XK8 reminds me of Concorde. They leave you hypnotized by their beauty and leave you no desire to own one! But the XK aside I get the impression that there is too much committee in the Jag design department. Did you see the final bastardization of the F Type - mid engined and a true horror! Jag need to clear the decks, initiate a new team in the history of Jaguar and then tell to be BOLD just like old father Lyons was...well, sometimes. Like the Citroen DS the E Type on it's introduction left you with the impression it had been left here accidentally by people from another planet. For one thing it made the XK120 look like the old fart it really was! Come on Jag - dig deep!