Spy Shots: JaguarDrive interface uncovered!
by John Neff on May 30th 2007 at 2:29PM 
click above image for more pics of the Jaguar XKR with JaguarDrive
The spies at KGP Photography have been trying to capture Jaguar's new JaguarDrive transmission selector interface all week, and until today the best view they got was almost completely covered by an engineer's hand. Finally, however, the engineers in charge of keeping the XKR test mule under wraps slipped up. These shots show the production version of the JaguarDrive transmission selector that was first shown on the C-XF Concept and was though to be destined for just the productoin XF sedan. These spy shots seem to indicate that Jaguar is planning to introduce the new interface on other models, including the XKR. Exactly how the shifter works isn't clear, but the flat face contains a round dial that we think will somehow raise into the palm of the driver's hand when the car is started. In fact, the dial may not so much rise up as the rings around it retreat so that surface remains flat. A turn of the dial, it would seem, selects the PRND of your choice. There are four buttons below the dial that presumably allow one to change the suspension and shift settings of the car. The two lowest buttons are difficult to make out, but of the two upper buttons, one is clearly marked DSC and the other displays a checkered flag that likely denotes a setting for track use.
Follow the jump for more...
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Gallery: Jaguar XKR / JaguarDrive - spy shots
Gallery: Jaguar C-XF Concept
Jaguar described the new transmission selector in its press release for the C-XF Concept. It states, "Sink into the C-XF driver's seat and a jewel-like Power button pulses on the centre console - its rhythm representing the 'heartbeat' of the car. Press the button and beneath your hand concentric aluminium rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in your palm."
KGP is confident that we'll see the JaguarDrive in other models besides the upcoming XF sedan and the XKR, though it may be rolled out on the most premium models first. It's certainly a trick piece of tech that gives Jaguar something no other brand has, but does it offer any real value beyond its high-tech look and gotta-have-it factor? That's something we won't know until Jaguar officially debuts the feature in the near future.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jonathan Hicks 2:42PM (5/30/2007)
If Jaguar offered JaguarDrive, it should be an option on some XJ, XF, & XK models.
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srivendel 2:46PM (5/30/2007)
Interesting. It's hard to see how this moves the game forward, but Jaguar has struck upon an attractive and unique design for performing several fairly simple functions. A standard automatic shifter and buttons on the dash would do the same thing, but without the sense of occasion that Jaguar Drive will surely bring. It will feel special, even though it doesn't do anything different than any other luxury marque.
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Jason 2:49PM (5/30/2007)
I'm guessing that the button next to the DSC button is a control for the rising of the center/lowering of the rings. otherwise how do you shift modes once the car is in motion? or do the rings stay recessed (center raised) until you shut the car off?
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Jagexpert 12:37PM (6/03/2007)
Using the shit paddles on the steering wheel. F1 paddles.
Jaguar 2:54PM (5/30/2007)
You know I saw this somewhere else a few hours ago, where was that? Ohh yeah thats right, Damon posted it on this very site. Come on guys read your own site.
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Adam 4:19PM (5/30/2007)
If I had to guess, I would say that it looks like the dial may be taking a page from the iPod. Sort of the scroll wheele that they use. On the other hand,if it is a dial that raises and lowers with a nice solid "click" that would be nice.
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bmoredlj 3:08PM (5/30/2007)
Uhhh...something wrong with a button for each gear setting?
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Vexorg 3:19PM (5/30/2007)
Talk about a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Is some country club threatening to kick people out due to the unsightly shift levers in their cars or something?
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328xiBimmer 3:22PM (5/30/2007)
Is there no tiptronic like mode for these Jags then?
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Axium 3:33PM (5/30/2007)
^ The car uses paddle shifters.
And whomever said it was posted before is wrong. What was posted is the concept photo, plus someones hand covering the production design. This is the actual production design unveiled.
kyle 3:32PM (5/30/2007)
This is a bit disappointing, because I always loved the feel of a proper gear lever, be the car automatic or manual. I enjoy a reassuring thunk, and this controller seems to negate any chance of that. I understand the need for Jaguar to remake its image into a more modern brand, but there has to be a way, where Jaguar could keep some heritage. For me personally, I would have them scrap the J-gate, and add a BMW-style manumatic function, where a pull towards the driver yields and upshift, and vice versa for a downshift.
If they feel the need to modernize, they should take the design from the C-XF, with the metal trim and interesting burnt wood, but add a traditional gear lever for production.
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Nellydesign 3:45PM (5/30/2007)
The previous post was also the photo of the XF test mule. This post is to verify that the selector will be seen in the XKR as well.
As to the viability of such a shifter, can someone enlighten me as to how one shifts into reverse using a paddle shifter system that has no center shift knob? I know I've seen a production car like that and couldn't for the life of me figure out the reverse. The simple ergonomics of having a shift lever in reverse and just pulling it rearward to drop into drive are pretty hard to beat IMO. Fumbling for a knob seems ridiculous. Its the same reason you'll see truncated steering wheels and joystick like control systems for concepts, but you'll never see them in production. The circular steering wheel is engrained in all our driving habits. Where we place our hands, how many different positions we CAN place our hands... I just don't see it going away.
This looks like a gimic that isn't going to work very well. I hope theres a paddle functtionality to the R->D maneuver instead of reaching down to twist a dial.
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Don 3:54PM (5/30/2007)
I think I saw this in "The Wrath of Khan".
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Vexorg 5:19PM (5/30/2007)
From Hell's heart I shift at thee!
Don 5:47PM (5/30/2007)
Ah, a fellow Trek nerd.
I salute thee!
stangmatt66 4:19PM (5/30/2007)
Definitely a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I can see using non-standard shift mechanisms if one's trying to save space on the center console for cup holders or something, but this thing takes up tons of room! So much for not having to look at the gear selector to put the car in drive. You'll have to stare at the center console to know whether you're in reverse, neutral or drive. Kinda lame Jag.
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Cap2501 4:28PM (5/30/2007)
Don: That is exactly what I thought when I first saw it too, Its pretty crazy how close it looks, life imitating art I guess:
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Gavin 4:58PM (5/30/2007)
Where's the cup holder?
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Kit 5:32PM (5/30/2007)
Since most cars are moving towards fly-by-wire tech (I believe the Jag S-type already uses it in their shifter) there is no "reassuring thunk" of gears being shifted. Any sound or feel is artificial to begin with. I think this goes a ways towards cleaning up the dash. Some current Astons have a series of buttons high on the dash to shift gears (plus paddles to use the manumatic mode), this is just a slicker version of that tech.
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Sam 6:06PM (5/30/2007)
i know someone who just bought an xk! there not gonna be happy about this..
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