The Leaper has Arrived
#23
#24
If I may post in a forum area in which I do not belong... I know there has been discussion whether the front leaper looks out of place on the new Jaguar design. Of course, to each their own. But I have to say, seeing it on your car, Barry, has made me think twice. I think it looks great. I especially like how far forward it is. Recently I think dealers have been setting them too far back on the hoods. The car looks fantastic. cheers,
Scott
Scott
Again, good choice on adding the leaper. Looks great.
#25
I too am from another area, your leaper looks great. The comments about it not being appropriate for the "new" designs are ridiculous. Cars from the 20's to the early 2000's all had hood ornaments; cars which had different lines, designs, and belonged to different eras. For nearly 100 years they graced the bows of many brands not because they where necessary, but because of what they represented and because they conveyed a sense of continuity with the past. Sadly, Jaguar has jumped on the trend of banishing the iconic ornament from the bonnets of their cars. At least the MB star is not going anywhere anytime soon. I doubt MB owners would put up with such progressive stupidity.
Again, good choice on adding the leaper. Looks great.
Again, good choice on adding the leaper. Looks great.
#26
Well I am from this area and not to get into a debate I will have to disagree. First, the MB star is going away. It is not on most of the new cars from the S class to the C class unless you want it and definitely it is not on any of its sports car. I live in German and I see them all the time. Second, ornaments do not look right on all cars based on design which is why they are going away. Some cars like the Bentley or Rolls Royce will never get rid of them but other cars look better with them integrated in the grill and the new Jaguars are in that category. Now if a person wants to put one on its their call because its there car just like I saw a youtube video of a guy who put lights in his rims so that they light up at night. I happen to think it looks gaudy for a 7 series and something you would find on a rice burner but if it makes that guy happy to each their own.
Second, comparing a time honored automotive tradition to tacky lights is really like saying a tie and skinny pants are the same thing. The cars "modern" design really has nothing to do with it. The leaper fit well on a Mark 2, Mark 9, Mark 10, XJ 40, X300 and X350. These where all different cars with different designs, and modern for their time (well maybe not the X350) Jaguar could have incorporated the leaper into the new XJ but instead of standing out decided to follow the trend of replacing traditions with a regime of non-stop novelty.
The leaper on the original poster's car is both fitting and tasteful, regardless of the comparissons with tacky items like bullhorns or accesory lights. As a matter of fact the car looks like a modern Mark10 with the large high bonnet:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mk10_Jaguar.jpg
#27
First of all a quick look at the MB website clearly shows that the star is standard on the e class and s class, optional on the c class.
Second, comparing a time honored automotive tradition to tacky lights is really like saying a tie and skinny pants are the same thing. The cars "modern" design really has nothing to do with it. The leaper fit well on a Mark 2, Mark 9, Mark 10, XJ 40, X300 and X350. These where all different cars with different designs, and modern for their time (well maybe not the X350) Jaguar could have incorporated the leaper into the new XJ but instead of standing out decided to follow the trend of replacing traditions with a regime of non-stop novelty.
The leaper on the original poster's car is both fitting and tasteful, regardless of the comparissons with tacky items like bullhorns or accesory lights. As a matter of fact the car looks like a modern Mark10 with the large high bonnet:
File:Mk10 Jaguar.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Second, comparing a time honored automotive tradition to tacky lights is really like saying a tie and skinny pants are the same thing. The cars "modern" design really has nothing to do with it. The leaper fit well on a Mark 2, Mark 9, Mark 10, XJ 40, X300 and X350. These where all different cars with different designs, and modern for their time (well maybe not the X350) Jaguar could have incorporated the leaper into the new XJ but instead of standing out decided to follow the trend of replacing traditions with a regime of non-stop novelty.
The leaper on the original poster's car is both fitting and tasteful, regardless of the comparissons with tacky items like bullhorns or accesory lights. As a matter of fact the car looks like a modern Mark10 with the large high bonnet:
File:Mk10 Jaguar.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As far as a time honored tradition let's be for real. It's a hood ornament. And car designer's should be allowed to reinterpet or create within the confines of the heritage of their organization. Maybe it shouldn't have been called an XJ. But where the previous XJ's because of their stance looked proper with an hood ornment I and I emphasis "I" don't feel the new XJ does which is probably why its not on there in the first place but at is at least an option for the people that want it. Some people like the black C-pillars I personally did not so I painted them. And what I was comparing is what people like has to do with taste and not specifically on actually looks good.
As long as he is happy with his ornament thats all that matters. But as an owner of the car you will not sell me on it.
#29
#30
#31
#32
I think the leaper looks kinda cool, makes one feel nostalgic if they've had an XJ before.
To those talking about the departure from hood ornaments, MB doesn't have them standard on their cars anymore, they are a cost option (where I'm from anyway) except on the S class.
WRT Jaguars, the leaping cat was dropped due to pedestrian safety regulations, namely from the EU. The head of the cat when striking a pedestrian proved to be fatal. Imagine a 1.5 ton car moving at 10-15 mph and you absorb that force through 1 sq inch!
So yeah Jag didn't have a choice
To those talking about the departure from hood ornaments, MB doesn't have them standard on their cars anymore, they are a cost option (where I'm from anyway) except on the S class.
WRT Jaguars, the leaping cat was dropped due to pedestrian safety regulations, namely from the EU. The head of the cat when striking a pedestrian proved to be fatal. Imagine a 1.5 ton car moving at 10-15 mph and you absorb that force through 1 sq inch!
So yeah Jag didn't have a choice
#35
I think it looks nice! However, there are strong arguments against it. I personally enjoy the 4-headlamp design car with or without the leaper, especiallty the X308. I will say, a coupe is very weird looking with a leaper. I've seen XJS and XK8s with leapers, and I always hate it. The XJ and the XF are a little confused, but it's still a Jaguar saloon. The coupe styling doesn't interfere too much Imo.
Ian
Ian
#37
I've only been an XJL owner for two days, so I'm sure that my opinion doesn't carry any weight around here. When I was at the dealer yesterday awaiting the final detailing on my new car, I was looking at the accessories for sale and noticed the hood ornament allegedly specifically designed for XJ models. I wasn't sure what it would actually look like on an XJ or if anyone had actually put one on, so I came to the board this morning and ran a search on hood ornament and found this thread. Not to disparage the OP, but after seeing his pictures, I have to say that I think the cat looks out of place on the hood of the XJ. I'm glad that the OP and others like it, but I definitely won't be adding one to my car.
#38
I've only been an XJL owner for two days, so I'm sure that my opinion doesn't carry any weight around here. When I was at the dealer yesterday awaiting the final detailing on my new car, I was looking at the accessories for sale and noticed the hood ornament allegedly specifically designed for XJ models. I wasn't sure what it would actually look like on an XJ or if anyone had actually put one on, so I came to the board this morning and ran a search on hood ornament and found this thread. Not to disparage the OP, but after seeing his pictures, I have to say that I think the cat looks out of place on the hood of the XJ. I'm glad that the OP and others like it, but I definitely won't be adding one to my car.
Congratulations on your new purchase! Colors?