Autoblog

Speculation is still big buiness at Jaguar: the leaper could be going upscale with a Daimler revival, going potentially diesel with the XK, and there's the never-ending rumor of something like an F-Type. Now, finally, a few pieces of fruit have fallen from the guesswork tree: Jaguar has filed trademark papers for the terms C-XE and C-XJ.

The concept XJ is expected -- the development car has been spotted here, there, and everywhere. Based on the production car's 2011 due date, the C-XJ will probably take the stage some time late next year or in early 2010. The only thing that remains is to find out how many design influences Ian Callum has settled on for the car.

The C-XE remains a conundrum. We know that Jag's new parents want a sports car in the litter, but where would it slot? In order not to step all over the XK, an E-Type would be a much harder sports car proposition, but would it bare its claws at the Porsche 911 or be a Boxster fighter? It has been rumored to share parts with the XF and XJ, and power is ostensibly coming from the 3.0-liter V6 Duratec. With a 2012 production date leave, the dynamic details probably haven't been settled. Regardless, it's good to see the cat getting ready to roar.

[Source: Autoblog.it (no relation)]

click above for more high-res images of the Jaguar F-Type Concept

It's full speed ahead for Jaguar, which seems determined not to miss a single beat even as it prepares to switch ownership from Ford to Tata. As if an all-new XJ flagship sedan weren't enough to keep the transitioning British automaker busy, rumors are now circulating that Jaguar is preparing a proper sportscar, more hardcore than the XK grand tourer.

You may recognize the image above as the F-Type roadster that Jaguar unveiled to rave reviews at the Detroit show in 2000. Unfortunately, Jag's lagging sales – and the Aston Martin ceiling – forced Ford PAG to cancel the program, but Jaguar is reportedly preparing to present the case to its new owners. However, while the F-Type would have competed with the Porsche Boxster, Jaguar is said to have its sight set on the elusive benchmark of the Porsche 911 for its newest sportscar.

[Source: The Sun]

Back in 2000, Ford Motor Company was swimming in SUV cash and Jaguar looked poised for a big-time turnaround. Excitement for the brand grew when the Concept F-Type was shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show. Executive Wolfgang Reitzle even gave the project the green light and then pulled the plug due to a lack of funds. Fast-forward to 2007 and Jaguar has had the worst sales performance in the US of any luxury automaker over the past few years. In fact, Jaguar had the single largest decline in the US auto industry in 2006, with sales dropping by 31%. Only four years earlier Jaguar had US sales of 60,000 units which is three times what the classy cat gets now.

There are several reasons for this steep decline, and the absence of the F-Type in the Jaguar lineup probably isn't one of them. However, a group of enthusiasts over at JaguarMania are currently circulating a petition to put the F-Type back in Jaguar's plans. The Jag-fans maintain that the F-Type could compete with the Porsche Boxster in the luxury realm. It was a shame the F-Type never made production back in 2003, but the design now looks like a last-generation XK. We love new products as much as anyone, but in retrospect the Blue Oval bean counters probably got this one right the first time. An all new F-Type would be extremely favorable to us though, especially if it competes at the Boxster's price-point. The seven year-old design of the F-Type on the other hand would probably only contribute to Jaguar's problems.

[Source: CoolBrit.net]