The new model is scheduled to unveiled this Monday, April 23, at the Beijing Auto Show. China is quickly becoming the automotive center of the universe for luxury marques like Jaguar, Range Rover and Bentley.
The most luxurious Jaguar ever doesn’t seem to have the most original Jaguar front fascia. It looks like it was taken right off the front of the Jaguar XJ Supercharged. That could make one think the refinements are internal and not external.
What can be told by the teaser video is the new Jaguar is going to be shod in Dunlop high-performance tires with low profiles. The wheel design with the leaping cat logo in the center appears to be four spokes that are bisected with indents.
The video also seems to hint at reclining rear seats. While not a new trend, it appears to be a first for Jaguar. It's more likely the most luxurious Jaguar will have full recliners, including foot rests similar to what the Hyundai Equus has to offer.
They don't these videos teasers for nothing. One element of it that can be explained, if my belief that this is a sedan is accurate, is what appears to be a roof opening. Or, it could just be a compartment cover. It was difficult to tell from the teaser video.
The Chinese reveal comes on the heels of the New York Auto Show where Jaguar announced that an all-new sports car will enter production; the Jaguar F-TYPE. A true two-seat sports car, the Jaguar F-TYPE will launch as a convertible becoming the fourth model in the current line of innovative and seductive cars, along with the XF sports sedan, the XJ luxury sedan and the XK coupe/convertible.
All of these improvements should portend good things for Jaguar and Land Rover, which has seen a sales resurgence in 2012. Jaguar Land Rover North America reported March 2012 sales for Land Rover were 4,199 up 22 percent from 3,441 in 2011; Jaguar sales for the month were 1,321 up 51 percent from 874 in 2011; Jaguar Land Rover North America sales for the month were up 30 percent from 4,315 units in 2011. Through the first three months of 2012 Jaguar Land Rover North America is up 29 percent.
Jaguar is in the midst of a U.S. road show for its new products. The company launched an 18 city U.S. tour on April 12 to reestablish the storied British brand among luxury consumers in a new modern context. The multi-day brand event, called the “Jaguar Alive Driving Experience,” invites consumers to learn about and drive the company’s full model line-up with professional drivers, view heritage Jaguar vehicles and fully experience the brand in a dynamic setting. The tour kicked off in Phoenix on April 12, then travels to Key West and Southwest markets through the summer before heading to the East and Southeast markets in the second half of 2012 and into 2013. Interested consumers can log onto www.jaguarusa.com/JaguarALIVEDrivingExperience for more information.
It's too bad these consumers won't have the opportunity to drive the most luxurious Jaguar ever. Well, maybe those consumers who wait until 2013 might.