Still yet to shake off its reputation for producing cars with less-than-perfect build quality and issues with reliability, Jaguar will hope that a refreshed lineup, a renewed focus, and a reignited ambition will take the brand where it needs to go. Positioned with three SUV models, a flagship sports car and a competitively priced entry-level sedan, Jaguar’s lineup looks clearly poised for another go at one of the world’s largest consumer centers. The consolidation of their portfolio with the purpose of catering to a wider audience, means that the XF Sportbrake and XE sedan have been axed. Also facelifted for 2021 is their best-selling Jaguar F-Pace SUV, which starts at $49,995. Understanding that the US market provides the greatest opportunities for growth, Jaguar has refreshed significant parts of its lineup for 2021.Īccessibility seems to be the name of the game here, with the newly refreshed entry-level Jaguar XF sedan starting as low as $43,995. Most European marques – not least of all the British ones – continue to cater to an extremely niche demographic on the continent. West of the Atlantic however, the brand has struggled to become a mainstay in North American markets, in spite of some promising sales figures over the last few years. It is a name that still resonates very strongly with those whose distinguishable tastes are of a north-of-the-English-Channel persuasion. The coupe/roadster twins will grow in size to deliver more cabin space and will introduce new infotainment and connectivity features.Jaguar continues to command a respectable international audience as one of Britain’s luxury car powerhouses. The next-generation F-Type, due for 2020, is the last of the new Jaguar cars on the immediate horizon. For the plug-in hybrid model, a 335-hp version of the new 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder gasoline engine, supported by a 134-hp electric motor, is likely.
Design chief Ian Callum’s team initially pitched a sporty coupelike concept, but top management favors an elegant, long-wheelbase, three-box sedan aimed at China and the U.S. Under consideration now is a matrix architecture that packages internal combustion, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric powertrains. “We thought long and hard about this,” admits an insider, “but the world may not yet be ready for a second EV from Jaguar.” The next-generation XJ sedan, due in 2019, was planned to be an all-electric vehicle but there’s been a change of heart.
The E-Pace will make its debut in September at the Frankfurt show. Jaguar could launch a roomier, three-row version featuring a larger energy pack. The I-Pace will be built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. It delivers 400 horsepower and battery life is 186,000 miles. The all-electric I-Pace SUV due for 2018 is pitched as a turnaround car.