Jaguar Forgoes Supercar Plans to Focus on New Electric Vehicles
If you have been anxiously awaiting a new Jaguar supercar, we have bad news.
Jaguar axed the production and development for its C-X75 a long time ago, but now it appears that the company has no plans of developing another supercar at all. It also doesn’t intend on replacing the XK coupe and convertible, leaving the F-Type on its own to hold the sports car baton for the brand. As a sign that things are changing in the automotive industry, Jaguar will instead build two electric vehicles, one that will eventually replace the XJ sedan, while the other will be a premium SUV. The SUV has already been rumored to be based on the F-Pace, but the other model will be a four-door coupe with a rear hatch.
The sedan is codenamed X590 and will be Jaguar’s attempt to compete with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class models. It will be built on a new electronic architecture developed by former BMW engineer Wolfgang Ziebart. The architecture will reportedly be adapted to accommodate everything necessary for autonomous driving.
SEE ALSO: Jaguar’s Fleet of Self-Driving Test Cars will Start Hitting UK Roads This Year
If this sounds a bit like a Tesla Model S fighter, it is. Jaguar’s all-electric sedan will also be all-wheel drive and is expected to come to market a full year before its German competitors. The company is hoping the head start will give it an advantage in a segment it has struggled in, but will also continue offering the current XJ alongside the new model just in case.
The electric SUV will come in 2019 and was originally planned to be a Range Rover model. Both electric vehicles are expected to be built by Austria’s Magna Steyr with the X590’s production estimated to be 20,000 to 30,000 units per year. The SUV will be more affordable and is expected to be more popular, with 30,000 to 50,000 units sold per year.
[Source: Automobile]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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No real surprise. Jaguar hasn't ever been in that supercar bracket, bar the flop at the time XJ220, and that supercar bracket is an expensive area to be in for a manufacturer Having the F type and its variants of power suit the Jaguar pedigree. F type a great drive and feel (and sound with the correct engine size) but wish it was designed with a better trunk/boot - or at least on par with the Boxster storage space (both boxster storage areas beat the Jaags)