Jaguar C-XF previews the S-Type replacement

Jaguar chose the recent North American International Auto Show at Detroit to showcase the C-XF concept, which is expected to be one of the design leads for the ageing Jaguar S-Type replacement. As expected, the C-XF has styling cues from Jaguar's entrenched roots, featuring the rectangular front chrome grille which is reminiscent of the British Leyland-era XJs. The front headlights, however is less traditional as it forgoes the double round headlamps, replacing them with a sleeker design. On first glance, the car looks much sportier and should appeal to the younger generatio of buyers.


Upon closer look, Jaguar's parent company - Ford, seems to have inputted many design cues from its other stable of concept cars. The side profile of the saloon for example is strikingly similar to the Ford Iosis and Aston Rapide concept shown not too long ago.


At the rear of the C-XF, Jaguar chose a futuristic approach with a horizontal LED strip cutting across the boot lid. A chrome strip with the marque's name completes the look of an executive saloon.


Similar to recent concepts shown by Jaguar, the C-XF's dashboard features a matt aluminium finish as opposed to the traditional wood panelling. The absence of a gear lever and handbrake in the center console also provides a sleek clean look to the interior. Meanwhile with all the rage of ambient lighting for automobile interior design, the C-XF also features a cool blue strip of neon lights across thedashboard to match that of the instrument panel.

Takeaway: Jaguar tries too hard with a mish mash of design cues to shed its traditional design cues.