FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar SUV teased

Jaguar has come clean on plans to produce its first SUV, releasing this teaser image of a crossover concept called the C-X17.

The British luxury brand will unveil the C-X17 on the eve of the Frankfurt motor show, in a special global reveal event that will be streamed live on its Facebook page.

At the same time, Jaguar has outlined the platform strategy that will underpin both its first SUV and its long-awaited second attempt at a direct competitor for the BMW 3 Series.

Confirming its maiden crossover vehicle, Jaguar says the C-X17 ‘concept study’ was created to introduce its advanced new modular aluminium platform architecture, which is also expected to underpin the belated replacement for its underwhelming X-Type.

“The concept illustrates the diversity of vehicles that could be produced using this architecture, which underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand,” it said.

Jaguar’s new aluminium platform, which Autocar says will be given its own brand name, is also expected to underpin Jaguar’s new ‘baby’ sedan as well as the next-generation XF large sedan, marking the switch to aluminium construction for all Jaguar models within four years.

The Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover company currently has two ‘Premium Lightweight Architecture’ aluminium platform families -- D7A for cars like the XJ, XK and F-TYPE, and D7U for SUVs including the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The Rangie’s longer and wider D7U platform, which can accommodate vehicle bodies at least 5.2 metres long, is expected to underpin the next-generation Jaguar XJ limousine and Land Rover’s next Discovery.

However, the C-X17 news confirms Jaguar’s SUV will not be based on the Land Rover Evoque’s LR-MS steel platform, which is derived from the Ford Mondeo’s EU/CD platform, and the smaller new JLR platform is reported to be flexible enough to form the basis of vehicles sized between 4.5 and five metres long.

According to Autocar, Jaguar believes it has failed to make enough of its technological lead in lightweight structures with the unique bonded-and-riveted aluminum construction that has been used for the XJ since 2003.

With Audi’s new steel and aluminium MLB platform due to be launched next year under the new A4 and BMW’s next-generation 7 Series also thought to be all-aluminium, Jaguar clearly wants to become known for its aluminium car-making technology sooner rather than later.

The leaping cat brand will also use the next week’s Frankfurt show to exhibit its new XJR and XFR-S performance models, as well as the XF Sportbrake wagon and F-TYPE roadster, which will next year be joined by the F-TYPE coupe.

As we’ve reported, the first Jaguar SUV is due on sale globally in 2016 – after the F-TYPE coupe and the new mid-size rear-drive ‘XS’ sedan, while a mould-breaking new small front-drive Jaguar could follow.

Jaguar has reportedly registered the ‘XQ’ and ‘Q-Type’ trademarks in Europe, hinting at possible nameplates for its all-new rival for mid-size premium crossovers like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, as well as the 3 Series, A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

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