Ahead of the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, now less than two weeks away, early details of the first 4×4 from prestigious British car firm Jaguar have been released. The sporty five-door crossover, officially labelled the C-X17, is to be revealed as a prototype at the Frankfurt motor show and is then expected to start rolling off UK production lines in 2016.
While Jaguar are better known for their luxury limousines and high performance sports cars, their sister company Land Rover have a wealth of experience in 4×4 vehicles, which Jaguar can make good use of. Jaguar Land Rover have been developing a new range of four-cylinder engines which are likely to be used in the C-X17, and experts believe that the new car will be based on an all aluminium platform shared with the Range Rover Evoque.
Jaguar’s move into the off-road market is part of what their bosses call “aggressive product development plans”, and while revealing a crossover at the motor show looks like a bold move, it follows a 25% increase in pre-tax profits during the first quarter of this year. Clearly Jaguar feels that it’s the right time to expand their market, and they are doing so with confidence.
The crossover is expected to be aimed at young, affluent families, and would be able to compete against the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. A teaser sketch released ahead of its debut shows details which point towards a sleek vehicle biased towards road use – a low slung roof, a steeply raked windscreen and a curved shoulder line with the horizontal tail-lights of the F-Type.
For those who can’t make it to Frankfurt, the C-X17 reveal can be followed online, and when it finally hits the roads in a few years’ time it is expected to carry a price tag of around £30,000. If you need to keep your current vehicle on the road in the meantime, here at CWS 4×4 we offer a wide range of Land Rover spares, Range Rover parts and other 4×4 parts and spares. All retail at competitive, discounted prices and benefit from full guarantees, so contact us today with your orders and/or enquiries.