Keith Adams
For the 1977 Turin Show, Bertone unveiled the sensationally wedgy Jaguar XJ-S based Ascot. Choosing to create a Jaguar-based concept has always been fraught with difficulties for the Italians – not least because Jaguars have such strong DNA that whenever they stray too far away from what’s come before, that essential ‘Jaguarness’ is lost. Bertone had penned several Jaguar concepts over the years, and in 1977 was still loosely attached to the Coventry company, having created a proposal for the XJ40 programme. But the stylish Ascot was something else entirely.
The one-off show car received considerable publicity at the time, not least because it followed in the tracks of the equally outrageous Ferrari Rainbow and Lamborghini Bravo. Bertone was clearly in love with the wedge at the time – applying the same styling scheme and wheelarch shapes as its Lamborghini Countach to seemingly everything else it produced. The Ascot improved on the XJ-S in two important areas – it was potentially lighter, thanks to aluminium construction, and had a hatchback rear door, just like the old E-type.
A fascinating might-have-been, but not a car seriously considered for production, no matter how appealing it looked at the time.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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Was the idea to resurrect this article prompted by the recent passing of Gerry Anderson? A car looking like this would have fitted perfectly in Thunderbirds or Fireball XL5.
I don’t dislike the looks but they certainly don’t say ‘Jaguar’ to me……
Looks to be what a 70s/80s Citroen SM, based on the BX, might turn out like…
Shades of Lotus Espirit as well.
Very reministant (spelling?) of my Lotus Excel
It might not look like a Jaguar but I still think it looks stunning. The front wheel arches remind me of those on the Citroen BX (also styled by Bertone, if my memory serves me right), while the rear arches are very Citroen.
That said, the way the crease line of the rear wheel arches deliberately flows into the rear wings is something also found on some Triumph saloons such as the 2000/2500 and Dolomite. Wishful thinking I know, but perhaps this should have formed the basis of a new ‘halo’ Triumph sports car for the 1980s?
Thank goodness it was never built. Could have been anything but a Jaguar.
I’m so glad this stayed a concept. It looks like Something Harris Mann would have designed to be honest
This also looks awfully like a Corgi toy I had as a kid, which I think may have been a Marcos of some kind
…and its ‘nil pointes’ from me also.
This is the thing I’m on about..
http://www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/userfiles/articles/Corgi-Marcos.jpg
Similarities?
The Marcos Mantis? Really? Noooo….
Bertone must have let the work experience boy loose with the marker pens….not exactly one of their best, is it?