Jaguar XF design rejects
Codenamed X250, the XF was originally planned as an aluminium monocoque, like the current XJ. However, Jaguar needed the car on the market as quickly as possible, and so it continues with a steel body featuring some aluminium panels.
To save cash and time, Jaguar has overhauled the old S-type's DEW98 platform, a Lincoln hand-me-down that took some serious mid-life re-engineering to make competitive with BMW and Mercedes. As a result, the new S-type hit the market 18 months earlier than if Jaguar had taken the all-aluminium route. Changes for the XF included a new rear suspension design, and as this packaging mule shows, more steel between the wheels to boost rear accommodation.
From retro to flamboyant...
Frontal styling was devised to link with XJ Series I from the earliest stages in the design process...
The feline haunches are a Jaguar trademark, and were always going to be a part of the XF. The Maserati-like rear lamp clusters were a step too far, though...
Early proposal combines nicely sculpted flanks with stubby rear end...
Rear view of same model reveals the chrome strip across the bootlid is a feature that was always intended to be there...
S-TYPE grille was never going to make it on to the new car... but that didn't stop them trying it out...
Another rejected rear end treatment reveals that Jaguar designers were keen to maintain a flowing style, but develop it away from the retro look of previous generations...
The S-TYPE proposal fully rendered... better than the XF?
Slightly later full-size clay model combined XJ-style grille with X-TYPE body styling. Haunches are evident here...
Moving to the XF
The design team wanted drama, as this sketch clearly demonstrates...
Signature XF styling - and the coupe-like roofline - are now in place...
Aggressive wheels point to those on the upcoming XF-R model...
The definitive XF design being created in clay...