Designer Ian Callum wants to resurrect the Jaguar XK

Designer Ian Callum wants to resurrect the Jaguar XK

Now here’s a treat for Jaguar enthusiasts. The British company’s design boss, Ian Callum, was frustrated (his own words) when the XK was discontinued in 2014 following the launch of the new F-Type. “I had quite different ideas on how to carry four people quickly around the world,” he told Autocar.

If Callum had his way, the XK may very likely make its return as a grand tourer, perhaps with a larger footprint. The F-Type on the other hand is more like a luxury sports car than a true grand tourer. “I want a two-seater and a 2+2. We’re working on something now. There’s nothing approved, but we instigate in design. That’s what we do,” said Callum.

It won’t be easy though, because at the end of the day it’s down to convincing the board that there is an actual market for a true GT car to be sold alongside a sporty coupe. Apparently, Jaguar had already designed a successor to the XK but was scrapped in favour of the F-Type. “The F-Type was never meant to kill the XK,” added Callum.

Designer Ian Callum wants to resurrect the Jaguar XK

As it stands, the XK, or whatever the Jaguar design team is calling it, remains as an unofficial project, especially for Ian Callum.

Back at home, Jaguar Malaysia last introduced the XK in XKR-S guise, which had a 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III, producing 550 hp and 680 Nm of torque, allowing it a 0-96 km/h (60 mph) time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Back in 2014, it was priced at a heady RM1,348,888.

Any thoughts on the matter, folks?

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • Jeremy on Oct 20, 2017 at 3:25 pm

    Well done Tata motors had saved Jaguar and Land Rover.

    Jaguar flourished, with memorable vehicles and innovative technologies that add to a proud long-lasting British motoring legacy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • alldisc on Oct 20, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    who scrapped it? the BOD at JLR HQ in London, or Gaydon? or the guys over at Tata HQ?

    i believe they got it wrongly since XK and F type are similar in sizes (except XK is a 2+2) i agree with Ian, when the all new XK replacement is completed, it wont compete in the same segment as F type. something like BMW 6 series (or 8 series) and 4 series coupe. thats how difference it will be

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • 12yrsold on Oct 20, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Dear Matthew, can you still call Ian Callum – “The British company’s design boss” when it’s under Tata Group now ??! Just asking

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
    • Last time I checked, Jaguar is still a British company. The same with Rolls-Royce and Bentley still being British, despite German ownerships.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • ex-VGM staff on Oct 21, 2017 at 9:28 am

      everything about the company remains the same as before. the employees, engineers and designers. the operation and assembly plant remains pretty much in Britain. all decision comes from the British ppl.

      only the fund comes from Tata Motors.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • 12yrsold on Oct 22, 2017 at 11:19 am

        Thanks for taking your time to reply bro. I wonder why many British car companies cannot succeed with their own $$$ & brains but need $$$ from foreigner & in this case Indian $$$ to succeed ??!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jonn Dol on Oct 20, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    The Jag F-Type & XK should be able to co-exist side by side. Jag could make the new XK a proper 4-seater GT to rival the new BMW 8-series or even Merc S Class Coupe & Bentley Continental GT. The F-Type caters for the more focused drivers, although Jag need to do a major update/redesign of the current RWD F-Type since it was seriously outpaced by Merc AMG GTs & Porsche 911s..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Jimmy on Oct 20, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Jaguar and Range Rover must make every effort to maintain their luxury status and brand values; luxury can command high price. We are willing to pay for our desired luxury items, eventhough we know the items are overpriced.

    Luxury vehicles must have very good aftersales service.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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