Slow burner
Posted by Pat Devereux at 10:10AM on Tuesday 09 January, 2007 15 Comments
What do you think of the Jaguar C-XF?
It's undoubtedly the star of the Detroit show - but do you like it? When I first saw it I wasn't so sure.
I expected to be stunned and surprised, and I was. But I didn't fall immediately in love with it like I thought I would. But I think that's a good thing rather than a bad one.
How many music albums have you bought that you liked every single track immediately, the first time you heard them? Not many for sure.
It's generally a gradual process that builds over time, rather than a miracle moment of enlightenment. There are always a few standout tracks, but it takes time to appreciate and come to love the whole album.
It's all part of the process of the tracks working their way into your affections.
And it's the same with with the C-XF. There's so much new stuff to look at it takes time to appreciate it all.
So, while I welcome your opinions, I'm not going to pass judgement now. I know I like it, but give me a couple of days to understand precisely why.
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15 Comments for "Slow burner"
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It's really odd seeing a non-retro Jag. Of course, since Jag got their styling right when everyone else was botching it (70s), they got to cheat in the 80s and 90s and not design any new looking cars (Xk8 aside). The new XK is gorgeous, but the styling is not a strong departure from the XK8, (just much improved), so it's very easy to love. Concepts like the F-Type (why didn't they build that? An alternative to the Boxster and Z4 with a more supple suspension - easily Clarkson's choice) are easily gorgeous because it was essentially nothing new.
I'm not saying I don't like this new one, it's sleek and curvy without becoming German or Italian. But, the headlights are the wrong shape, the grill is too square, and the rear windows are even smaller than they are on a Chrysler 300C. Granted, it's a four door that looks like a two door, and while it might not have much rear legroom it does have better looks than my Ampop's E-type 2+2. But the wheels are "pimp my ride" and the tailpipes as well, and the rear window is the shape of a coffee cup. If any other car manufacturer came out with this, I'd think it was brilliant, but I can't keep myself from wondering - is it a Jag?
All the best things take time to appeal to me. The best example I can use of this is the concept car Ford gave us the GT40. When I first saw this car I thought it was hideous. Now it's more appealing to me than sex. The same is to be said of the new jag. I'm unsure of it at the moment. I think I like it but there are to many bits that are to unfamiliar on it. But then as I said, the best things take time marinate in my senses. My girlfriend for example was a munter when I first saw her, now I want to marry her!!
I share similar thouhghts about the jag...I have to wait to figure it out. After only seeing a couple pictures of it, it looks to me like a cross between a Buick Lucerne, an XK150 and a Lincoln Zephyr (rear end). All of that certainly is not endearing, yet I know I will love it later. It simply needs to soak in and grow on me.
I feel the same way I felt after I'd seen the new Bond film. As a Bond fan I thought the film was great but not a bond film, elements were missing. The same is true with this Jag, it looks great but is it a Jaguar?
I wasn't instantly in love with the Jag when I first saw it, that front grill just kept gawping at me, but when viewed from any angle other than front on (and the only time you see it like that is when you're being mowed down by it at 180mph), it looks like the wonderful Ian Callum has gone and painted another masterpiece. It looks like a two door, but is actually a four door, has a wonderful interior and a really like the headlights for some reason. A superb Jag, something to bring Jag forward, not back.
On an unrelated note; Shame about Aston Martin. All I can hope is that a rich buyer gets it and persuades Ulrich Bez to stay on, and that the buyer knows not to interfere with Herr Bez.
The XJS, and the old XK both had something wrong with them. Although it must be said that they both grew on me.
It's close, in pictures the front doesn't quite say Jag, yet. But the rest of the lines do, so it's close, and I think a slight tweak of the front would be all they need to sell it as it is. I just can't say what kind of tweak it needs. Seeing it in the metal might change my view. The back lights needs to be visually separate too. I still just wish they'd made the F-type concept.
I'm not too sure about it either. It's not ugly, pretty good looking. The side and back are good. However the front... that big square grill, overall it sort of reminds me of a subaru from the front ;/. I guess I'd expect something a bit cleaner looking coming from jag. Looks too much like a japanese car, it could've easily been a Lexus instead.
As much as I think Jaguar needs a new design direction, I'm not sure this is it. It feels like they are trying too hard. From the side it looks like a Lexus, albeit with a Aston Rapide roofline. The rear lights look American. I hope the new S type will be better.
The feeling from around the office and from friends is 'hideous'. I like it. It's overall shape is in proportion, aggressive and there are some really nice touches through the front three quarter.
I think everyone's having problems with it because it doesn't typically look like a Jag. But that's the point. They're kind of saying, 'Get over it people!' and whatever the production car will look like, it will be more readily accepted after seeing this prototype.
But saying that, it could be fatal to turn your back completely to history. It's a brave move but perhaps something that Jaguar needs. I welcome it.
I think its a great looking car but it just doesn't say Jag. Maybe Ford or Honda but its definitely not a Jag. For me it doesn't evolk the romanticism associated with the Jag brand. Sorry but it'll be the Jag eviqualent of the 944.
Thank god jag have mad a modern car (even if it dos look a bit like a Honda accord crossed with a XKR) but I doubt whether this will look anything like the real car. Jags got to hold its nerve and make sure it doesn't stop with the new modern designs (but a new X type would be even better).
bit late but, I was one of the lucky few who saw this car live when it was first shown to about a dozen members of the public in Banbury and the press. If jag were ever going to shake off the slippers and pipe image in terms of saloon carsm this does it. I tell you now, you see this thing coming at you in your rear view mirror, you will move. It is a stunner no doubt and Jaguar must be commended for bringing a such a car to challenge the E class and 5 series. My only hope is that production car is not watered down too much (except for interior!) that would be a shame.
Looks a lot like a pre-facelift Alfa 166, which is about as good as you can get and exactly the market jag should be aiming for. More exclusive than Audi, BMW, Merc... Also noticed the 156 rear door handles.
Looks a lot like a pre-facelift Alfa 166, which is about as good as you can get and exactly the market jag should be aiming for. More exclusive than Audi, BMW, Merc... Also noticed the 156 rear door handles.