Jaguar Crossing Over?

There is room for a cross/utility vehicle in Jaguar Cars' future.

“We've got models of Jaguar crossovers in the studio, and we definitely reassured ourselves that you can do a very convincing Jaguar crossover,” Ford Motor Co. Chief Technical Officer Richard Parry-Jones tells Ward's. “It's definitely under consideration.”

Parry-Jones agrees the British auto maker must sort out its financial problems before launching into new segments, but he has a clear idea of where Jaguar may go once the financial house is in order.

“It won't be a crossover like a Murano or an XC90. It will be much sportier than that, but nevertheless not a traditional 3-box sedan.”

A small sports car also may augment Jaguar's lineup to attract 30-somethings, Parry-Jones says, noting the R-D6 concept car at Frankfurt in 2003 struck a chord with young people. The compact aluminum-body R-D6 sported a V-6 diesel.

“The challenge with a limited budget and a tight business model is how do you stretch out and appeal to younger people without offending your customer base,” says Parry-Jones.

One direction Jaguar is not headed is retro, he says. Jaguars have remained true to heritage DNA, but the future styling direction is more modern.

The Advanced Lightweight Coupe unveiled in Detroit shows the new direction and is key to recovery of the brand, says Joseph Greenwell, chairman and CEO.

The 2+2 show car is the basis for next-year's replacement of the XK, but with an all-aluminum body.

Greenwell says Jaguar likely will not reach profitability until at least 2007.