Autoblog

It's been a quiet week in Cardom, so for Autoblog Podcast #92 we take time to address some of the excellent emails we've gotten at our new podcast at autoblog dot com address. Feel free to send in questions, comments, SHO-centric ribbing, whatever! We can't promise that it will make it onto the 'cast, but it just might. Before we dive into the binary mailbag, we discuss some of the vehicles that we've been sampling - so basically Damon talks about what he's been hooning around in at track events. Thanks for your 57 minutes this week!

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As we've reported previously, Jaguar isn't waiting around to see how its future unfolds to move ahead with new product development. We've seen spy shots of the next flagship XJ sedan, and heard rumors of a new sportscar to rival the Porsche 911. Emerging reports now suggest that Jaguar executives have begun coordinating with their bosses-to-be at Tata over several intriguing new models.

Although Tata is not in a position to sign off on the development of new models at this point, it reportedly received the sportscar project with the most enthusiasm. While executives reportedly favor basing the Porsche rival off the XF's steel chassis, Coventry engineers are pushing to modify the XJ's aluminum platform; the engine bay would be able to accommodate both V6 and V8 engines. Jaguar also presented its hosts with plans to lop off two doors and a couple of inches of roofline from the new XF sedan to make a coupe version, although a convertible variant was ruled out. Lastly, and perhaps most dramatically, a plan was presented to lengthen the XK coupe and add two more doors to build its own rival for former corporate cousin Aston Martin's upcoming Rapide. This last development contradicts earlier reports that suggested the next XJ sedan would adopt the four-door-coupe approach, offering instead that the new XJ would include more interior space than the model it replaces.

[Source: Just-Auto.com – sub. req'd]

The new Jaguar XF is undoubtedly a handsome car, albeit slightly marred by the awkward look of its headlights. It's also a crucial model for Jaguar as the carmaker's future is basically pegged on the success or failure of the new volume-seller. Because of this, developing several more variants of the car would be a smart a move as it should enable Jaguar to sell more cars.

Though nothing has been confirmed, new renderings of a possible convertible XF have turned up showing a car with a shortened wheelbase and only two doors. Jaguar already sells the XK convertible, but the significant price differential between the two should ensure only a limited number of sales being cannibalized. Also, if Jaguar were to build an XF droptop then we're quite positive a coupe version would ensue. This also leaves the door open for even more models, perhaps a wagon or off-roader. Then again, maybe not.

Thanks for the tip, Iris!

[Source: CWW Car Design]