[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Jaguar Sports Sedan with RWD and Lightweight Aluminum Build Coming to Rival 3 Series

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In early 2011, we reported on Jaguar's plans to bring a small sedan to directly target the 3 Series. Jaguar feels a need for different and lower priced models. "We need to play in that world," said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's global brand director. Jaguar needs a small sports car for image and a sedan for volume, he said. "We have to do both. Whether we do one, two or three body styles, we can still decide. But we have to be in the lower price."

The last time Jaguar introduced a smaller sedan with lower pricing to take on the 3-series was with the Ford Mondeo based X-type, which had little success in the competitive compact sports sedan segment.

In an interview with Autocar, Hallmark has now provided more details and plans for the upcoming Jaguar sedan.

Jaguar realizes the difficulty in entering the ultra competitive small luxury sports sedan space, currently dominated by the 3 Series, C Class and A4. Although targeting the 3-series would be an expected move for the new small Jaguar, Hallmark said the company wouldn’t be taking the most obvious route. “The 3-series is an easy simile for where we could go, but it’s not the only gig in town,” Hallmark says. “All the cars are good in that segment. All have the blend of performance and efficiency, as well as very sophisticated equipment.

“I think Jaguar has to do something different. The challenge is to do this across a whole range of vehicles. Some our rivals have four-door coupés, which we’d love to see. The Mercedes CLA could be a template for a smaller Jaguar, but that’s not what we’d do,” Callum concluded. “Jaguars have a rational, pragmatic set of values. They are styled a bit differently but need to be conventional enough to be usable." “It’s Jaguar’s turn [after Land Rover] to grow next. We will grow and could become formidable if all goes well and we get the planning done properly.” “A Jaguar needs to work as a Jaguar, with a set of components to match our mould,” Callum said.

“It took Audi 20 years to build up to where it is,” Hallmark adds. “For us to come in and go to the top of the league is impossible, so we have to find ways of expanding our business profitably and we’re well developed in that process. We are undergoing creative analysis of competitors and consumers.”

“Trying to find a gap to exploit is a real challenge. Nobody is waiting for another competitor to enter a segment. For us to enter… we have to have a winning proposition. It has to have a twist, something relevant to the consumer. But the Jaguar brand should define everything.” “All makers in that segment have a successful strategy of different versions: coupés, cabrios, estates, engines. You have to be flexible in that segment.”

PLA Platform, Aluminum Construction, RWD

The upcoming Jaguar sedan is said to be built of lightweight aluminum construction. The world is downsizing in many areas,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar’s current chief of design. “I think downsizing can only go so far. Then it comes down to the efficiency of the vehicle. Mass, rather than size, is something we have a big lead on with our aluminum construction. Downsizing is not off our radar and we have to take it seriously. But we’ve got the head start on mass.”

It will be built on Jaguar's latest modular "PLA" (Premium Lightweight Architecture) platform. This platform underpins the next generation XF and XJ models, as well as serving the current fourth gen Range Rover.

As for the drivetrain, the Jaguar sports sedan will be rear-wheel-driven. Hallmark said that although the PLA platform can be spun into a front-wheel drive format, Jaguar did not have a front-drive car planned for the 3 Series rivaling sedan.

He also hinted that the new model would expand into a full line-up of body styles. “All makers in that segment have a successful strategy of different versions: coupés, cabrios, estates, engines. You have to be flexible in that segment.”

No exact timing was given yet on this junior Jaguar, but the company is said to be close to giving the green light on the range of compact and lightweight rear-drive models.

* The image used above is just a speculative render, via Autocar

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[E90MCF]

That looks nice. . . I'd buy that. . . If the E9x 3 series didn't exist

[BMWFB02]

Looks like a Lincoln

[ndhaliwal]

looks nice in pic and paper hope it performs better on road too. Will be test driving it for sure.

[ndhaliwal]

Originally Posted by BMWFB02

Looks like a Lincoln

You can say that as you own a M3

[ZheHbKa]

all these cars aim to beat 3 series, BUT:

[kevinlevrone]

It's nice to see that not everybody in the premium segment is all over the front wheel drive for the sake of efficiency.

[Alpine F31]

I like Jaguar. I wish them luck, but they will have to make the styling much more distinctive than this render to capture conquest sales. This picture looks like it could be a new Jag or it could be a Kia Optima LCI.

[E90MCF]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

I like Jaguar. I wish them luck, but they will have to make the styling much more distinctive than this render to capture conquest sales. This picture looks like it could be a new Jag or it could be a Kia Optima LCI.

You can give a car a life cycle change that didn't survive long enough for that change to occur. . .

[sali]

Jag handling and steering (at least for XJ Supercharged) is awesome. It easily old handles my 535i in spite of being bigger with better steering feedback.

[roundel335]

I know a guy who made two huge mistakes - he bought a Jaguar (owned by Tata of India) and then he drove it. Best of luck to Jaguar, I'm sure they'll have a few people buy it, but it's lost its pedigree. Stirling Moss must be beside himself to see his old marque in the hands of one of the colonies.

[Mako]

So is he saying that the Mercedes CLA isn't practical? Its the same length as a C Class...

The Mercedes CLA could be a template for a smaller Jaguar, but that’s not what we’d do,” Callum concluded. “Jaguars have a rational, pragmatic set of values. They are styled a bit differently but need to be conventional enough to be usable."

Speaking of the CLA, I wonder when we will see the first images of the 2 series Gran Coupe, the M2 better have at least 350 HP, since the CLA AMG is getting 360 with AWD!

[utenigma]

To me it just looks like somebody 'shopped a jag grill onto a Ford Fusion

Not like that's a bad thing, the Fusion's a pretty car

[WarrantyTracker]

Man. A Jag needs to be distinctive. You should be able to spot the family resemblance immediately. That car is not distinctive.

[bimmerjph]

Jaguar is the only car maker that I think could make a car better than the 3-Series. They really seem to understand that it isn't about numbers, its about how the car feels. If they put a manual transmission in it, I think BMW should be worried. They probably wont be competitive in terms of sales, but in terms of pride. Just look at the Jaguar line up right now. There is the XJ,XF, XK, and F-Type. They are all stunning cars, and have tons of character. The latter cannot be said about any current BMW.

And do people seriously not realize that the picture is a render? I don't even think a prototype has been spotted yet.

[Drew10]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Jaguar is the only car maker that I think could make a car better than the 3-Series. They really seem to understand that it isn't about numbers, its about how the car feels. If they put a manual transmission in it, I think BMW should be worried. They probably wont be competitive in terms of sales, but in terms of pride. Just look at the Jaguar line up right now. There is the XJ,XF, XK, and F-Type. They are all stunning cars, and have tons of character. The latter cannot be said about any current BMW.

And do people seriously not realize that the picture is a render? I don't even think a prototype has been spotted yet.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Jaguar is the only car maker that I think could make a car better than the 3-Series. They really seem to understand that it isn't about numbers, its about how the car feels. If they put a manual transmission in it, I think BMW should be worried. They probably wont be competitive in terms of sales, but in terms of pride. Just look at the Jaguar line up right now. There is the XJ,XF, XK, and F-Type. They are all stunning cars, and have tons of character. The latter cannot be said about any current BMW.

And do people seriously not realize that the picture is a render? I don't even think a prototype has been spotted yet.

+1 I agree...Jags do have character and I see a lot of XJs around here which always look stunning.

I can't believe that stupid Tata/Colony comment. Is this still 1895??

I'm sure Sterling Moss would be grateful that the Indians kept Jag alive.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by BMWFB02

Looks like a Lincoln

Do you mean by Mazda?

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I know a guy who made two huge mistakes - he bought a Jaguar (owned by Tata of India) and then he drove it. Best of luck to Jaguar, I'm sure they'll have a few people buy it, but it's lost its pedigree. Stirling Moss must be beside himself to see his old marque in the hands of one of the colonies.

Actually, I think Tata has done a heck of a job reinvigorating the Jaguar brand that was driven into oblivion by Ford, both in terms of build quality and styling. Jags are starting to become relevant again.

[MSPORTWORLD]

I'm curious if they will make something to rival the M3 then...

[ciomas]

we have the long wheel base XJ in the family and the handling is superb, I swear on the road it never feels like anything bigger than a 5 series. I'm pretty confident Jaguar will get it right. Time to stir up the compact sedan market a little. I would like to see JAGs take on an equivalent of a 3 series GT, as there clearly is a lot room for improvement and they do tend to get the proportions right ;]

[ciomas]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Jaguar is the only car maker that I think could make a car better than the 3-Series. They really seem to understand that it isn't about numbers, its about how the car feels. If they put a manual transmission in it, I think BMW should be worried. They probably wont be competitive in terms of sales, but in terms of pride. Just look at the Jaguar line up right now. There is the XJ,XF, XK, and F-Type. They are all stunning cars, and have tons of character. The latter cannot be said about any current BMW.

And do people seriously not realize that the picture is a render? I don't even think a prototype has been spotted yet.

indeed the lineup is impressive. and your point about character is spot on. One area Jaguar should improve on however is the interior - the only thing about the XJ that bothers me.