Report: Jaguar Crossover Is Go, Will Sport Aluminum Body, Sleek Styling

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Jaguar fans are likely breathless over the fact that the C-X75 concept has been confirmed for production, but outside of a new small sedan and a revised XF, perhaps the single most important product announcement — especially when it comes to Jag’s bottom line — lies with a crossover SUV.


It has long been up in the air over whether or not Jaguar would build a crossover; while it would help to buoy sales, it could also step on the toes of partner Land Rover. When we spoke to Jaguar’s global brand director Adrian Hallmark earlier this year, he told us that there was no decision yet on whether or not Jaguar would make a crossover. However, we have since reported on the fact that a crossover is being developed to help defray the cost of development for the platform and engines underpinning a new range of compact cars to compete with the BMW 3 Series.

Jaguar still isn’t revealing much about its new crossover, but the folks at Top Gear did manage to pry out a few additional details from the company’s top execs. To start, expect the all-terrain Jag to share more than a few bits with the upcoming Range Rover Evoque. There is a good chance that the turbocharged four-cylinder mill from the baby Rover will find its way beneath the hood of the Jaguar offering, as will the plug-in hybrid system that is under development with the Range_e. Top Gear also reports that a new 3.7-liter V-6 developed for a new small sports car could also find its way into the crossover, along with perhaps a supercharged variant and a new diesel-fueled offering. Eight-speed automatics will likely be offered with virtually any engine selection.

The crossover will use a version of the all-wheel drive system currently being developed for the 2013 XJ sedan — and, like that flagship model, will utilize a body structure made entirely from aluminum. That lithe construction and the rakish, daring design — penned by Ian Callum — are expected to help set the Jag ute apart from its competitors, including the successful Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Don’t expect to see the new crossover any time soon, though. TG says it won’t arrive before the next-generation XF does, and that model is scheduledto launch in 2014.

What do you think? Is a crossover an ideal addition for the Jaguar brand, or should the company leave the high-riders to its sister brand, Land Rover? Sound off in the comments and let us know.