{"id":32415,"date":"2024-11-20T09:21:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T09:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=32415"},"modified":"2024-11-21T11:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T11:03:33","slug":"jaguar-blink-twice-if-you-need-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/jaguar-blink-twice-if-you-need-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaguar \u2013 Blink Twice if you Need Help…"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few days ago, after the first images of Jaguar\u2019s heavily disguised new GT hit the internet, I found myself in the curious position of half-defending it against a near-universal barrage of criticism from the Jaguar faithful. Let\u2019s set the record straight right away though: I\u2019m no fan of EVs. I don\u2019t buy into the idea that they\u2019re the magic bullet for the motoring world, nor do I believe they represent the future of sustainable driving, at least not on their own. That said, I\u2019m not na\u00efve\u2014electric cars have carved out a space in the current landscape and are here to stay, whether we like it or not.<\/p>\n

\"Jaguar,<\/a><\/p>\n

So, when Jaguar announced a few years ago that they were transitioning to a fully electrified line up, I wasn\u2019t exactly thrilled, but I was willing to cut them some slack. After all, the brand has earned a modicum of trust, even if it’s been a little wobbly of late.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re no strangers to Jaguars here at Car & Classic. In fact, I\u2019ve owned over 20 of them, and I still can\u2019t bring myself to part with my beloved XJ40. There\u2019s just something inherently naughty about a Jag\u2014something that makes you feel like you’re driving a car that’s a bit of a rule-breaker. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re nodding along like the Churchill dog.<\/p>\n

When I first saw the spy shots of Jaguar\u2019s latest creation, I was quick to look beyond the clumsy camouflage and dismiss the \u201cit looks like a Chrysler 300C\u201d comments. What I saw was a potential beauty\u2014an alluringly long bonnet and a dramatically curvaceous roofline. There was hope. Maybe, just maybe, that long bonnet would one day house a glorious straight-six petrol engine, once Jaguar realizes that there\u2019s still a market for real engines, not just batteries. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time Jaguar misjudged a market.<\/p>\n

\"Jaguar,<\/a><\/p>\n

Back in 1986, Jaguar thought the world had moved on from the V12 when they launched the XJ40 saloon, only to discover, too late, that customers still craved twelve cylinders. They ended up keeping the older Series 3 XJ in production until ’93, all while frantically re-engineering the XJ40 to accommodate a V12. But that\u2019s Jaguar for you\u2014often late to the party but always managing to make some cocktails, play some bangers and have a good time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

However, the true shock to the system came on November 19th. What was revealed to the world was something that, quite frankly, no one could have predicted. In recent years, Jaguar has sadly become the neglected cousin of Land Rover and despite their best efforts to remain relevant, Jaguar has simply been \u2018kept around\u2019\u2014like the awkward guest at a party. Think of Land Rover as the Happy Mondays, and Jaguar as Bez.<\/p>\n