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Jaguar's Future Plans
By Yoann Besnard on 7 February 2008 | 
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The next Jaguar’s owner will buy an ambitious company which plans to expand its lineup new models in the coming years: a XF coupé, a possible XF SUV, a potential four door XK and a renewed XJ executive saloon.
Jaguar executives never hid their plan to expand the XF lineup with several variants. The most likely variant to appear will be the XF coupé which will feature a more exclusive design but keep the saloon interior architecture and its engine range. The company wants to keep the price under £45,000. In addition to the coupé, Jaguar executives are considering building a convertible variant but it is unlikely to come to anything. Indeed, accountants are hesitant because of the expense generated by the technical changes and engineers don’t favor it because of large amount of work generated by a large fabric roof. A SUV variant is also in the pipes, but the stricter emission regulation and the shrinking SUV segment don’t plead its cause. An estate version is being also considered, but unlikely to go beyond the discussion stage.
Aside the XF, XK might get a four door version set to compete with the Mercedes CLS. After all, Mercedes launched the CLS to compete with Jaguar. Secrecy surrounds the spec of the car due to be launched in 2011 although some observers believes that the car will feature a similar engine range to the XK’s with V6 and V8 petrol units. Insiders also talk about a sportier version of the XKR. Dubbed XKR-R, the super XK would be powered by a 500bhp 5.0-litre petrol engine thanks to a tuned supercharger and tweaked engine. The chassis would also be tuned and the XKR-R would reach a top speed of 180mph.
Closer to us, the next-generation XJ will be launched next year. Like the outgoing model, the future limousine will be available with a choice of two wheelbases. This time, the shorter version will be roomy enough for two passengers at the rear.
Source: Autocar