Fresh Jaguar concept

In Frankfurt few try to paddle hard against the tidal wave of German product, figuring there’s little point when the domestic manufacturers pre-book enough space to populate an entire motor show in any other country. But Jaguar likes to buck the trend. It did it with theF-type (albeit in concept form) in 2011, and it tried to do it again with another concept called the C-X17.

Unlike the F-type, it is fair to say the C-X17 did not bring Frankfurt to a slavering, astonished halt. Indeed were this SUV not wearing Jaguar badges and painted a very vivid shade of blue, it might only have attracted moderate attention. But the very juxtaposition of the word ‘Jaguar’ with the ‘SUV’ acronym was always going attract the hordes, pens sharpened for another soft target. I know because I joined in when Aston Martin showed an abhorrent SUV in 2009 and had the nerve to call it Lagonda, and again last year when Bentley showed a highly courageous interpretation of the theme called EXP 9F. Actually I think Jaguar is being rather canny: by producing a rather sober offering, it not only spares itself such indignities but also further castigation when the real one appears and looks nothing like the concept. And believe me, as and when Aston and Bentley get around to producing theirSUVs, they will look nothing at all like their concepts. But I believe the Jaguar will and so it should: in its own way I think it is a quiet success.

Andrew Frankel