The Detroit News has an interesting overview of the problems at Jaguar, and the company’s ongoing struggle to get out of the red. Columnist Neil Winton says the new XK is a solid offering, but “is unlikely to achieve much for Jaguar,” because it will be low volume. According to Krish Bhaskar, who heads the Motor Industry Research Unit in France, the new S-Type will make ore break Jaguar. “The next generation S-Type will be a defining car for Jaguar. It will have to be much more radically styled but also conventionally pretty. So think in terms of the Mercedes CLS, rather than the Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-Series. This will also be Jaguar’s entry level saloon,” Bhaskar said. Winton says for Jaguar to succeed, it must “forget the retro look and make the product look modern and exciting.” The retro Jaguar XJ is a perfect example. “The XJ has been a complete flop. It’s a great product but the styling was too much like the old one”, said Colin Couchman, another analyst. (Shown right is a Jag concept that may hint to the new S-Type).
Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
03/22, 4:46 PM
posted by:
KissMyX
Well I myself absolutely love the current XJ, it’s one of the most classy saloons on the road.
03/22, 4:51 PM
posted by:
gsh
its also something like 14 years old. ill pass. jaguar still has that premium marque feeling. the new XK is definitely in the right direction, but the S type will be competing in a very cut throat segment. performance is covered by bmw and infiniti, luxury covered by lexus and mb. cadillac and lincoln want to move upmarket. not much room for jaguar.
03/22, 6:22 PM
posted by:
Thing2
hmmmm while all those luxury brands are in the same market, Jag appeals to a very different type of person. Everyone you mention, gsh, besides lexus, all aim towards “flashy look at me i have money.” Lexus appeals to people that like technology and like bland toyota styling. Jaguar’s about being classy, stately, and more understated. Buyers looking for understated elegance also look at Audi’s although it may be a completely different look. It is there that Jag will face competition. Jaguar is deeply rooted in heritage, i think the XJ should be a timeless design, otherwise they screw up their image. Having said this, i’d like to see Jags with more dramatic proportions, like long hoods and the seats ALL the way back for a coupe. Yeah no trunkspace, but then again, people don’t go grocery shopping or transcontinental trips in a Jag…
PS: You want sales… bring back an XJS with a lower base price
03/22, 7:24 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
Is that a toilet seat on the front?
03/22, 7:54 PM
posted by:
Phil
If the next S-type looks like the car in that picture, then we can say goodbye to Jaguar.
03/23, 2:10 AM
posted by:
gsh
Thing2, Jaguar’s S type is anything but classy. Just look at that huge (toilet seat) metal mesh grille and the rear taillights are borrowed right off the old XK. throw in some chrome and 20 inch rims (like on the XJ) and your up and coming rapper should feel right at home. if you want classy look to lexus or mb, understated elegance. the S type doesnt hold true to Jaguar’s image at all. the X type is like a baby XJ (which makes sense) and the new XK is stellar with its tear drop headlights and aston martin rear. where does the S type fit in? priced higher than the X type, it should at least look the part…
03/23, 7:23 AM
posted by:
digitalzombie
that picture looks really nice.
03/23, 10:12 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
Puleeeze… Will someone please pull the plug on this dead brand. They’re appealing to the Lincoln Towncar set and they’re not passing the eye tests any longer. Sure, there are some bow tie wearing weenies driving them but they’re getting busted for child porn so there’s no market there.
Jag has been on the stove like a steak that’s been flipped 14 times; not only is it done already – it’s too tough to eat.
jim
03/23, 7:48 PM
posted by:
Thing2
http://www.photos.mnb.org.uk/2003/richards-birthday/4.jpg
that’s where they draw the looks of the S-Type from…
yeah and the car in this article’s picture is not the new S-Type, its the concept Jaguar came out with 2 years ago…
Anonymous, where do you get the child porn schtick about? Are you part of that?
I never really cared for the S-Type, I, just like, gsh, like the XKs and the XJs. The XJ could never be a rapper car, it isn’t guady enough however