WHAT Does Jaguar Have To Do To Win YOUR Business IF It Builds A Small SUV?

So, I recently was reading a publication from abroad who had the chance to get behind the wheel of the prototype Jaguar C-X17. Now although a lot of folks are probably jealous and wish they had the chance, there's a couple of things that should be pointed out.

Most prototypes are not even close to how a production vehicle will be. Sometimes this is good, sometimes this is bad. A good case would be the first-gen BMW X5 LeMans concept. A bad case is the C-X17 prototype Jaguar rolled out for press drives in Dubai.

Essentially, the written piece about the experience is worthless. BUT, what is thought provoking is a simple question that Jaguar is probably asking itself right now: what will it take to get buyers behind the wheel?

- Will it need an amazing powertrain?
- Should it focus on off-road capability?
- Will it just need to look DAMN good?
- Should it be a luxury ride that stands head and shoulders above the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class?

Those are merely examples. I am curious to hear what YOU have to say about it! So, weigh in down below.

Oh, and if you're curious about the pointless prototype drive, click "Read Article."

What is it?

From the driver's seat you look over the Jaguar C-X17’s lumpy bonnet, rather than down it as usual, yet this car could only be a Jaguar...

What is it like?

...

The car may look slick, but the crudity of its under-bits become instantly into focus as we begin to roll. Prototypes are usually like that. Before we go, an engineer lurking in the rear selects Drive with a tommy-bar mysteriously inserted in a hole in the console.

Should I buy one?

...

Jaguar's people on the ground maintain their discretion to the end. Their conversation is peppered with "if we were to make a car like this" and "were we considering a crossover" but despite these superhuman efforts at polite obfuscation, the truth is clear.

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MattDarringer - 11/8/2013 11:24:58 PM

-3 Boost

Replace the ugly XJ with the Bertone B99. Make the XF less "Camry" and more exciting. DROP PRICES so that Jaguar is 15% LOWER than a Mercedes or BMW rather than--often--the opposite. The F-Type needed to be priced like a high end Mustang or 370Z NOT in Porsche territory. Jaguar needs to lose Ian Callum.

mini22 - 11/9/2013 12:29:30 PM

+2 Boost

I could not disagree with comments more.An F Type as a high end Mustang??Give me a break. Jaguar is a maker of luxury automobiles. It offers a welcome Germanic styling break from Mercedes, BMW, and Mercedes. It falls half way between them and Porsche in driving dynamics. Jaguar does not need to be 15% lower then these Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche becasue it offers the same level of luxury and performance that these car makers offer. Because it does not sell in the volumes of those other maker it should be priced a little bit less, perhaps 5% at the most. The F Type is priced correctly. While not offering quite the driving dynamics of Porsche,it is a much better drivers car than anything from Mercedes and BMW.Also the F Type V8 is the reincarnation of a British Cobra. It is also far more attractive than any Porsche.Ian Callum is the right guy for Jaguar because he symbolizes British styling. Having designed with Aston Martin( offering some of the prettiest cars to have ever grace plant earth), he is more than qualified to be head designer at Jaguar.

t_bone - 11/10/2013 8:53:37 PM

+1 Boost

Amen to each of your points.