2007 Jaguar XF

Jaguar's top stylist says that the next mid-size sedan from the British brand is coming soon-and it has an edge. The next Jaguar S-Type's features will begin to show up in concepts prior to the show, but the Geneva motor show of 2007 will be a likely place to look for the new vehicle. Jaguar's chief designer Ian Callum says the new S has to be "much braver" than the current model. "We have an axe to grind," Callum says, alluding to the car's middling reception and criticism of its upright styling. "We really have to make a strong step" with it, he adds. Callum also says the next-generation XJ sedan will be a "beautiful" car, still crafted from aluminum despite reports to the contr

inca un cgi cu viitoarea generatie de Jaguar s-type

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The Ford-owned British sports car maker Jaguar is currently testing among others the cooling and air conditioning system for the next generation S-Type in the Californian desert under real world conditions. The crew of engineers have several prototypes of the new model, some of which are shown on these recent photos.

Code-named X 250, the next S-Type aims in particular at buyers of the very successful BMW 5-Series. The current S-Type has been on the market since 1998, and although it had found many faithful buyers, the nostalgic styling turned out not to be for everybody.

Now Jaguar is about to develop a more modern and futuristic looking car and to abandon the old styling. The pictured prototypes have still body parts from the current S-type but already the new front end, still partly hidden under disguise.

According to insider information, the new S-Type will adapt styling elements from both, the RD 6 and R-Coupe concept cars and will be getting an oval mesh grille split by a chrome bar with the Jaguar badge. Furthermore, it is said to get twin single- unit headlights and the bumper has integrated twin fog lamps.

Engines come from the current S line up, a choice of an entry level 3.0 litre fuel engine and a 2.7 litre twin-turbodiesel, furthermore a 4.2 litre V8 delivering 300 bhp plus a top-of-the-line 420 bhp V8 from the recently launched XKR. The new S-Type is scheduled for release in 2008.

Jaguar's making a break with tradition: the replacement for the S-type is to be called the XF. It's a sign that the new car will be as different as the name – or at least that's what Jaguar hopes.

"The XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," said Jaguar boss Bibiana Boerio.

The current S-type has never been quite the success Jaguar would have liked. On launch it was criticised for its derivative retro styling and mediocre ride and handling. Much of the blame was laid on the S-type's shared underpinnings with the US-market Lincoln LS. A major revamp of the car in 2002 massively improved the way it drove, but the styling remained largely the same – even after a further facelift in 2005.

Initial design studies – such as the radical RD-6 concept car – have shown that Jaguar is keen to create a thoroughly different car to the old S-type. Unlike the XK and current XJ, however, the new S-type will not be made of aluminium, as this would have delayed the launch by up to 18 months.

The new XK has been met with near-universal praise. Here's hoping the new XF – designed and developed in Coventry and to be built at West Bromwich – has some of its sibling's magic when it goes on sale in spring 2008.

“The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different,”