Jag's shape of things to come

Jaguar's new design language -- the key elements that will shape its cars going forward -- has been 'unveiled' in the form of a showcar a week ahead of its official first showing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 7.

The Ford-owned British marque will show the sleek and aggressive four-door shown hereabouts at the important auto show wearing the name C-XF. Though official details on the car are scarce, take away some of the more aggressive elements of the show car and 'concept XF' clearly demonstrates the flavour we can expect from the car maker, which will replace its aging S-Type late in 2007.

Tightly drawn down over its wheels, the C-XF features an inset grille and aggressively scupltured headlights that eschew the XJ and X-Type's traditional four-lamp look. The concept car's heavily sculptured bonnet and sharply tapered rear end are more exaggerated than would be employed by a production car. That said all of these elements are said to be key aspects of the maker's 'language' going forward.

The showcar is a four-seat four-door 'coupe' in the mold of Mercedes-Benz's own Jag-fighter, the CLS-Class. The interior is typical over-the-top concept car, though impressions of the real thing can be drawn from the cockpit-style positioning. The XF itself will likely be a more conventional sedan inside and out.

The C-XF is has been overseen by Jaguar design chief, Ian Callum -- known Down Under for his role in tweaking early Holden Special Vehicle offerings as well as his work with Aston Martin before joining Jaguar.