Jaguar XF Cabrio/XF Coupè (Photoshop)

[Touareg 2.5]

You heard it here first! Way back in September last year, Auto Express revealed Jaguar’s plans to expand its XF range.

And, just as we predicted, a source from within the maker’s parent company, Tata, has confirmed that a raft of sporty new models is on the way from the revived British marque. We can now bring you the full story.

Our pictures show how the big cat’s new litter will shape up, starting with a two-door cabriolet version of the hugely successful XF saloon.

The XF Roadster will employ a folding fabric roof, along with a slightly shortened wheelbase to improve structural rigidity, while maintaining the saloon’s handsome profile. Bosses will ensure there is a significant cost differential, so that the new model doesn’t poach sales from the XK Cabriolet. As a result, prices are set to start at around the £35,000 mark.

But that’s not the only XF variant which has been earmarked for production: a two-door Coupé is also on the way. Designed to lock horns with Audi’s curvy A5, it will add even more style to the XF’s taut bodyshape with a tapered roof and high waistline. This, too, will be pitched below the XK in the £30,000 bracket. Both models are expected to borrow engines from the XF saloon.

The line-up will include V6 petrol and diesel units, plus the firm’s 4.2-litre V8, available in normally aspirated 300bhp or supercharged 420bhp form.

Jaguar is tipped to take the wraps off the two newcomers in 2010. And don’t forget the hardcore 500bhp XFR, with its 5.0-litre supercharged V8.

It was seen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, and is set to debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

Our sources have also revealed that Jaguar is eyeing up the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK – and seriously considering a ‘budget’ two-seater to compete in this lucrative sector of the market. We published images of the sporty roadster in Issue 1,012.

Following in the footsteps of the F-Type concept, this model will be pitched firmly in £40,000 Boxster territory – leaving room for a coupé model to rival the Cayman.

The small two-seater, which is due in 2012, will use a cut-down version of the lightweight aluminium chassis from the new XJ – itself due in 2010. Styling inspiration will be taken from the XF, while power is from a 4.2-litre V8.

There are also rumours that both cars could benefit from the top-of-the-range 5.0-litre V8 in the forthcoming XFR.

Modificato 21 Novembre 2008 da Regazzoni

[Guest -jag-]

e anche per la Coupè! cmq più che cabrio... roadster! sarà una "2+2" con il telaio leggermente più corto.

[j]

e anche per la Coupè! cmq più che cabrio... roadster! sarà una "2+2" con il telaio leggermente più corto.

tetto in tela o metallo?

[Guest -jag-]

tetto in tela...

[Alfatop]

beh l'attuale xf berlina, secondo me, ha una linea stupenda: molto traditional british, ma allo stesso tempo brillante e moderna. un ottimo punto di ripresa per jaguar!

sfornare una xf cabrio può essere un'altra bella mossa, soprattutto mantenendo questo progetto che piano piano si sta affermando nel mercato. ma quindi ciao ciao xk?

[Guest -jag-]

no, e su questo voglio precisare. La Xk, non so se ve ne siete accorti, ma si sta riposizionando più in alto. Con il nuovo V8 5.0 che arriva fino a 600 cv (testato) sarà anche per finiture ed altro, un gradino poco più alto. In ogni caso cmq la XK parte da prezzi più alti... Più in generale la Jaguar è da tempo che ha in mente di riposizionare il proprio brand più in alto, più prodotti di nicchia, senza stare a fare stupie battaglie con la triade tedesca.

L'XF Coupé e Convertibile saranno modelli che si scontreranno con quello che poi sta facendo anche Mercedes Benz, ovvero coupè su base segmento E. Una nicchia di mercato diversa, dalle coupè come BMW Serie 3 Coupè ad esempio.

Modificato 21 Novembre 2008 da -jag-

[xbertone]

Piccolo OT:

La XK 2006 mi piace tantissimo.

C'e qualcuno che ha i dati di vendita dal 2006?

Sarei curioso di sapere se ha venduto - finora piu della prima serie.

Mi piacerebbe prendere una XK fra 1 o 2 anni - la tenuta del valore non credo sia molto buona (per chi la prende nuova) - oppure cosa pensate?

Quando arriva al 50% del valore nuovo potrei farci un pensierino....

Antonio

[j]

Jag’s XF Coupé gets ready to roar!

Beautiful two-door takes fight to Audi A5.

What a stunner! This is Jaguar’s new super coupé – a two-door sports car poised to take the Big Cat into uncharted territory by locking horns with the Audi A5 and BMW 3-Series Coupé.

Expanding the highly successful XF range, the new coupé will combine striking looks with real driver appeal by adding a dramatic body to the saloon’s sporty underpinnings.

As Auto Express revealed in Issue 1,039, the XF Coupé is a key part of a new model strategy by Jaguar’s parent company, Tata. The raft of sporty machines will include the model you see here, as well as a drop-top Roadster version and a two-seater rival to the Porsche Boxster.

While the two-seater is still some way from showrooms, both the Coupé and Roadster go on sale here in 2010 – and they promise to give other prestige firms some tough competition.

As you can see from our world exclusive pictures, the head-turning XF Coupé could do for Jaguar what the TT did for Audi. Taking much of its inspiration from design boss Ian Callum’s original C-XF concept car, it boasts a bold metal grille, piercing LED headlights and raised bonnet bulge, which hints at the power that lies beneath.

The overall result is a strong visual identity, giving the car a much more aggressive face than the XF saloon. The high waistline provides further solidity in profile, and when combined with a steeply raked rear window and raised bootlid, it looks muscular and athletic.

Inside, the cabin is set to be derived from the XF saloon’s, with touchscreens, a glove box which opens at the wave of a hand and a hidden gear selector. That raised rear end should mean a big boot, while there will be generous space for two adults in the back.

Power will come from an updated range of petrol and diesel engines, which will debut in the XF next year. These include a 3.0-litre twin-turbodiesel and a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 for the flagship.

The latter also features in the forthcoming XFR. It pumps out 500bhp, and should propel the XF Coupé from 0-60mph in five seconds – making it a genuine rival for BMW’s M3 and the Audi S5.

All engines will be mated to Jaguar’s six-speed auto. Add in a sportier rear-wheel-drive set-up than in the XF, and it will be one of the most desirable Jaguars ever. Sales should kick off in 2010, with prices starting at around £35,000.

[Abarth03]

Bellissima, ma non c'è rischio di sovrapposizione con la XK?

[Guest -jag-]

Bellissima, ma non c'è rischio di sovrapposizione con la XK?