Sort of agree... but also the German Premium Brands have also become frilly techno-filled piles of fragile parts and poor engineering. I'd not buy a newer Benz, and never would ever buy a BMW. Audis are just gross all over and merely an up-styled Volkswagen, and way less dependable than one. Jaguar quality jumped up a lot in the 90s, but now they seem to be falling again with the new TATA owners.

 

Still, as right as you may be in your opinion of German premiums (the only ones I'd buy would be the Mercs, because their current style is great - Bimmers have become godawful and Audis are bland), they still sell a lot...and that's probably what Jag was eyeing. But IMO that's definitely a losing strategy because they're dumping their DNA and charm in the process of trying to do what the Germans would do better than them anyway.

 

With British cars so en vogue, Jaguar should fast track it back to tradiditonal elements in their cars. I am fine with them being an electric marque, but keep (or put back) the elegance and stately. Dump the lower spec options; they do the brand no favor. The consumer wants the wood and chrome!

 

I recall attending a meeting where Ian Callum was the featured speaker addressing this same issue. In a response to why the new design looks like all the other car designs out there, he said designers these days are constrained in their designs as the government/industry requirements for pedestrian impact protection, collision impact resistance, headlamp configuration, cooling area parameters and other safety requirements pretty much dictate what the front end will be like. Hence, why the cars are so similar.

 

How do so many other marques still have their DNA like Porsche, Rolls, Bentley, Aston, and Lamborghini? Sports car or SUV and it still looks the marque. The interiors are like they have been (within reason). I think JLR wants to shed their past actually. New sheet, new customer.

 

Since Jaguar has already committed to an all electric lineup for 2025, which should mean that 2025 models should be available in the third quarter of 2024, we shouldn't have to wait too long to see them. I would guess they are being road tested already and nearly finalized. Since the C-X75 conept sports car that only survived for the James Bond movie, was already an electric hybrid powered vehicle, and since it was universally acclaimed for its beauty and innovation, I would hope that Jaguar makes use of its coneptual design and brings out an evolved version maybe as an F-type replacement. I would hope that Jaguar doesn't resort to an all SUV lineup as its claim to fame and heritage always relied upon beautiful, sensual designs, rich and luxurious interiors. I would hope we'll see a new world class XJ as well as a GT followup to the X150 both of which have carried the "flag" for Jaguar for generations. Would I consider an EV C-X75 derived sports car, absolutely!

 

The only thing Jaguar designers need to follow is "Grace, Space and Pace". Everything else will fall where it should.

 

That’s where I think they’re missing it with the current line up. There’s essentially no Grace. Everything is so small, there’s no Space. And other than a model or 2 of the F-Type, there’s very little Pace. A classic world leader that’s gotten away from it’s core values.

Even 50 years ago, when the Prince of Darkness reigned supreme, you had Grace, Space and sometimes had Pace. You could buy a Jaguar knowing it was almost the classiest, most luxurious car you could buy. Even then, no American car could touch it in that arena. The Americans had Space, but little Grace and certainly no Pace.

Now?????? It seems like such a simple task.

 

All of you have hit the nail on the head. And I avoid the 'tesla style console' as it is just plain ugly. Non functional when I'm supposed to have my eyes on the road. and that plastic coated surround... really?!?
These are the reasons I'm having such a difficult time sourcing another vehicle... the options are all so boring and non-functional. I find fault with them all.
And you can add MB to the list.

On the matter of the console alone, its integrated into the dash and the menus simple. Though I would appreciate an actual button for quick selection without looking at the screen. (my LR does a nice job of that, as did the XJR)
And I for one like the wood. Leather. Simplicity. Understated elegance without the gimmicks and useless doodads.