Happy New Year everyone. I hope you lot had a fulfilled 2006. I certainly did. With a wife and baby on the way, who wouldnt be as contented as I am.
Meanwhile, a STUNNING Big Cat with its own throbbing heart rhythm looks set to become a reality for Jaguar, as the iconic marque takes the wraps off its latest concept, the C-XF four-door saloon. The C-XF provides, says Jaguar, a very clear direction as to the design and intent of the car that will eventually replace the S-Type. In essence, C-XF is not just another concept car, it showcases a new design direction for Jaguar sports saloon cars - and the future of the brand. And that heartbeat? It is perhaps the most theatrical of a whole host of innovative features built into the C-XF and forms part of the concept's start-up sequence.
A jewel-like power button pulses on the centre console, with its rhythm designed to represent the "heartbeat" of the car. Press the button, and beneath the hand, concentric aluminium rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in the palm.
Then, as the engine starts, a beam of blue light radiates from the centre of the instrument panel, chases its way around the cabin, and finally envelops the rear seats. Overhead, an electro-luminescent panel spanning the entire roof lining bathes the interior in a muted blue light to give a feeling of ambience. Outside, a burst of blue light from the front grille marks the moment the engine fires into life.
Then, as the engine starts, a beam of blue light radiates from the centre of the instrument panel, chases its way around the cabin, and finally envelops the rear seats. Overhead, an electro-luminescent panel spanning the entire roof lining bathes the interior in a muted blue light to give a feeling of ambience. Outside, a burst of blue light from the front grille marks the moment the engine fires into life.
Jaguar's award-winning director of design Ian Callum, says the C-XF concept car signals the onset of a new era for Jaguar. The same Jaguar teams produced the much-heralded Jaguar XK sports GT range in 2005, and Callum points out that while the C-XF is wholly contemporary, it succeeds easily in paying homage to its renowned predecessors. Says Callum. "Throughout its history, Jaguar has created some of the most striking, modern, and beautiful sports saloons imaginable, and our objective with C-XF was to recognise those design disciplines. "Company founder Sir William Lyons demanded the same aesthetic correctness, and every one of his legendary designs proved his skill in creating some of the most beautiful cars of all time."
The C-XF design team took inspiration from some of Lyons' greatest cars, including the 1950 Mark VII and 1959 Mark 2 saloons.
The C-XF design team took inspiration from some of Lyons' greatest cars, including the 1950 Mark VII and 1959 Mark 2 saloons.
The front of the C-XF features a bold and aggressive grille finished in black chrome. Recessed deeply into the body rather than sitting flush with the surface, the visual effect is similar to that of an air intake on a jet engine and serves as a reminder that directly behind is a sophisticated and powerful 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine. At the rear of the C-XF a very sculptured shoulder flows from the C-pillar into an aggressively tapered tail, accentuated by the large rear diffuser.
The focal point of the interior is a sweeping, brushed aluminium fascia that wraps around the cabin, and leather and wood furnishing details mark the concept's place in the premium saloon market. Beneath the C-XF bonnet sits an enhanced version of Jaguar's renowned 4.2-litre V8 engine, tuned to produce in excess of 420bhp and with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It is capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155mph, with the possibility of an unrestricted speed of over 180mph.
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