Ahead of Frankfurt, Jaguar Previews C-X16 Concept

Having coasted for a year on the strength of its C-X75 hybrid concept, whichsupercar costing upwards of $1.5 million,Jaguar has its predatory eyes on a less rarefied market segment with thC-X19 concept, scheduled to have its debut at thenextmonth.
The company has not disclosed any information about the concept car’s technology, its intended competitors or its likelihood of production, butanalyststhat Jaguar needed a smaller car in the lowerend of the midrange luxury segment to compete effectively
Audi and Mercedes-Benz. A production version of the C-X19 could fit within such a strategy.
Ian Callum, the design director of Jaguar, has taken his cue not from the
sensuous C-X75 or the statesmanlikeconcept sedan shown at Geneva in March, but from the XK, one of his first complete designs for the brand.
The C-X19 mimics that coupe’s flared rear haunches and delicate canopy taper. There is more aggression, however, between the concept’s axles, with a horizontal side strake behind the front wheel and a steep windshield rake. Jaguar did not release any sketches of the grille, so it is not known whetherthe XK’s nose treatmentresembling that of a third-generation Ford Taurus, was also carried over.
To the chagrin of many of the brand’s fans, Jaguar did not act on the wave ofpraise that another smaller sports-car conceptgenerated when itwas unveiled at the 2000 Detroit auto show.
Jaguar will release full specifications for the concept on Sept. 7, a week before press previews of the Frankfurt auto show.