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As a statement of a clean break with the past, the new XF was featured exclusively on Jaguar's show stand, with no other models on display. The mainstream press has been universally positive to the new XF, so hopefully this should give Jaguar's designers the lead that several indicated they still need to push the conservative senior management to embrace more advanced design in future.
Happily, the overall theme of the C-XF has been retained and the 50mm extra roof height and deeper doors with conventional door handles doesn't detract from the original proportions. The rear end, with its deep bumper and large exhausts, is actually quite different from the C-XF, but it too hasn't lost anything in terms of a fresh impression. The trunklid now cuts down deeply into the bumper and the license plate holder moves up from the bumper into a recess in the lid. So far, so good.
It's the front end that has been most diluted and has lost a lot of the menace and power that was promised by the C-XF. Chief culprits are the bright 'bugeye' headlamps, which sweep up at the ends rather than the downswept dark eyes of the concept. The grille is noticeably smaller too, and the bright grille texture loses the impact of the surrounding deep chrome frame. The beautiful treatment of the lower grille and blades of the C-XF seems to have been lost as well: now it's a collection of rectangular boxes that don't particularly relate to each other. It's all a bit tinselly - more mainstream Passat than top premium Audi in terms of approach and, as one walks around the car, there hasn't been the obsession with fine detailing that's the hallmark of an Audi these days.
The interior is impressive and spacious, with the main IP theme from the C-XF retained. Big recessed slabs of wood feature on the doors and the flat center console remains the highlight area; with lovely details such as the spiraling gearshifter, rolling airvents and touch-sensitive controls for glovebox and interior lighting.
Design Development story coming soon...
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Remember the Shogun Pinin that Mitsubishi sold until 2005? This concept is a preview of the successor to that car, which could go on sale in a couple of years' time. With that in mind, it's not a radical showcar, but another reminder that Mitsubishi has some talented designers and are quietly coming out with some nicely resolved work. This has been illustrated recently, with the EZ concept, the Delicia D:5, new Colt and the baby 'i' production models.
This compact 4x4 SUV balances design cues from current Colt with the aggressive nose of the EVO models. Here, the lean-forward nose of the Lancer is matched by a lean-forward rear end, giving a very unique stance to the car, like a boxer dog about to spring forward. This is the defining feature of the design - and something MMC could really capitalize upon in future.
The key line on this car is the dynamic plunging beltline that in turn becomes the clamshell hood shutline, then the top line of the hooded lamps and finally, the top line of the aggressive 'jet fighter' grille. The side view includes fresh details such as wavy lower door line and silver sill panel and the hard-edged door mirrors. The DLO is a single ribbon of glass that wraps down into the tee-shaped rear tailgate, which has an extra drop-down portion, like the Outlander, containing the license plate frame.
It seems strange that Mitsubishi gave up on the burgeoning compact SUV market just as European makers have discovered it in droves. Although smaller than new contenders such as the new Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan and Opel Antara, the cX could carve out a unique baby-SUV niche currently only occupied by the Daihatsu Terios.
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This coupe version of the new 308 has been somewhat dismissed in the press as 'Peugeot's TT', but seen in the flesh there's more here than expected. There is a quirkiness to this car that's actually very appealing and the only real link to the TT could be said to be the cantrail line and generally rounded ends to the car. What is more apparent to us at CDN is how the bulbous rear fender, pronounced feature line in the lower door, the slightly-too-long wheelbase and the falling beltline behind the door all combine to make the car vaguely reminiscent of a VW Karmann-Ghia. The kicked-up window line in the door adds a dash of character too: without it the design might look quite bland.
The tracks are widened by 60mm over the standard car to give a sporty stance and the 308 face is modified to be more sharp-edged, with the mouth adopting more of a vee-form and the side foglights more exaggerated. At the rear, the large Peugeot Lion badge sits in a recessed panel in the center of the tailgate and is illuminated from behind. There is a carbon fiber roof with Zagato-like double-bubble profile that sits uncomfortably on the back of the glasshouse and continues into the polycarbonate rear window - but this again is all part of the odd appeal of the car.
Inside, the IP is taken directly from the mainstream 308 and enlivened with leather facings and piano black center console. There's a Bell&Ross clock in place of the center airvent and the seats feature polished aluminum eyelets. It would be a pity if the 308 RC Z didn't make it to production. Now that the 207CC has grown in size, there's room for an alternative sports car below the 407 coupe in Peugeot's line up.
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New Cars: Peugeot 308 RC Z
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