Michael Fox-Britton’s Post

My latest Popular Science story about the Bentley Speed Six is live, so read it to learn more about what the president and CEO of Bentley Americas calls "a legacy of craftsmanship."

Looking forward to the reveal from Jaguar tonight. I spent the better part of 5 years working for the brand and most of my life lusting after XK’s and Ecurie Ecosse D-TYPES so I’m a bit of a traditionalist. I don’t know if I’m going to like what is shown but I’m genuinely excited that is the case. Why? It means something different is happening. Something new. Something polarizing. Sure, I don’t love playing chicken with such a storied brand but here are the two thoughts that have driven me to this conclusion: 1. Those that think the path to success for Jag is via leaning into their heritage: the ftype was a a brilliant continuation of where the etype left off, as quintessentially a jag as can be, and it was wildly overlooked in favor of yet another paint to sample 911. I don’t care about specs, ring times, etc, that was one of the most beautiful vehicles to exist with a giggle worthy v8 that could be had for a (relative) bargain. XE S, or better yet, Project 8. F-PACE SVR. XF Sportbrake. XJ 575. Those continuation D-TYPES. And don’t get me started on the I-PACE. I can make a case for all of these as being a modern embodiment of the heritage in question. And I know, reliability, but Jaguar launched the most comprehensive warranty program in the US with Elite Care. It didn’t work. 2. For years, bottom-line thinking has driven major brands to offer a product in almost all segments, unified under an overarching design ecosystem. Read: vanilla designs offered in small, medium, large, short and tall. New vehicle? Make sure it fits the mould! IMO there’s a distinct lack of creativity and very few new vehicles that are doing anything remotely unexpected from a design perspective. The biggest proof point for me came when standing around with a bunch of enthusiasts whose opinions I trust and the brand getting them excited is Hyundai. Bottom line. Heritage did not and would not have saved Jag, and if this is the spark that injects some much needed creativity into product portfolios across the industry then it’s worth it. I hope I like it. But even if I don’t, I hope it at least shakes things up a bit…er…a bit more. #copynothing

A LOOK BACK AT JAGUAR'S DESIGN HISTORY The design turnaround was radical, the initial success restrained - and yet the Jaguar XJ-S was to significantly outperform its predecessor with over 20 years of production and more than 115,000 units. This predecessor was the E-Type, which defined what a sports car should look like in 1961. It was voted the most beautiful car in the world by many. But by 1975 - the year the XJ-S was released - the world had changed, especially in the American market with new safety requirements, and Jaguar would not even consider a convertible: the fashion dictate was angular and there was not an ounce of wood veneer to be found in the interior. The XJ-S made its debut only as a coupé, more of a fast gran turismo than a sports car in character with its 5.3-liter twelve-cylinder engine. Although significantly more angular in appearance, the XJ-S was more aerodynamic than the E-Type and was the fastest production car with automatic transmission at its debut. The XJ-S (last called the XJS) made it through three series until 1996, although it was convertibles that brought lasting success: First a Targa version with removable roof halves, then a full convertible. Today our Jaguar models look like this:  https://lnkd.in/dsBDc2z2 Visit us online and discover the current Jaguar vehicle stock! Jaguar Land Rover Österreich #backtotheroots #jaguarcars #jaguarxjs #history

That’s why our designers and engineers at Jaguar develop a blend of responsive performance that gets your pulse racing, dramatic design that makes you stop and stare and a sense of theatre that stirs your emotions. Our cars are a manifestation of our passion. Performance that cannot be measured, only felt. That’s why we call it art.

"The collaboration of so many teams within Ferrari has rarely been so intense -as Carlo Palazzani describes it: “Designers today no longer simply take care of the beauty of a car. Now we are deeply integrated in a dialogue with all the technical departments. But our mission is the same: to maximise performance and create something iconic.” Nowhere has this synergistic way of working been closer than between the design and aerodynamics departments. The demands were onerous: to give the SF90 XX Stradale the highest aerodynamic performance of any road-going Ferrari ever, with twice the downforce of the regular SF90. “At the beginning of the project, we had to become like engineers, to understand how to translate the aerodynamic requirements both creatively and artistically,” recalls Manzoni. “We used entirely different linguistic codes, as this car is so extreme: very brutal and impressive, born for the track.” Carlo Palazzani expands: “This is truly something new. Yes, the SF90 is recognisable but it steps into a new dimension, one where we’ve finally been able to deploy all the power of the SF90’s design essence.” And the design transformation continues inside the car too, explains Filippo Degli Esposti, Vehicle Rear Engine Interior Design Lead Virtual Modeler. “Our mindset was to remove everything except the essential, to underline the car’s racing soul and the importance of the pilot in the cockpit.” So, you’ll find carbon-fibre door panels with new concave sections in contrasting colour, a ‘floating’ centre tunnel with a relocated gear shift gate and a new carbon-fibre ‘Racing’ seat, its shape inspired by the monocoque form of racing cars. Ultimately, just how challenging was the design process? “It was not easy to bring the ‘XX idea’ on to the road,” Palazzani explains. “It’s such an extreme car. But it shows that Ferrari is always growing, branching into different areas of design, and the SF90 XX expands our DNA, expands our knowledge, expands our presence.” https://lnkd.in/gYzp_bFs?

My take on any rebrand/reimagining is that it can allow the company itself to revisit #legacy branding in the future! Which in my eyes adds more to the fun and fuels conversation! I can just imagine how fun it would be to recreate classic brand concepts for #jaguar in addition to the contemporary style choice. To the designers out there, my question is... How would you approach this idea? #colourtheory

Car technology and designs have evolved over the years, but there are some classic vehicles that have stood the test of time. If you're a fan of vintage cars, check out the link below for 15 head-turning classics that still look stunning today. #VintageCars #MuscleCars #ClassicCars #Motorlease #WhateverItTakes

🚗 Jaguar's Bold Move at Miami Art Week🚗 Jaguar is ready to silence its critics with a show-stopping debut at Miami Art Week. Managing Director Rawdon Glover believes the brand's bold new direction, exemplified by their upcoming concept car, will captivate the industry and redefine Jaguar’s future. The high-performance electric vehicles Jaguar is set to unveil are not just about cutting-edge design; they represent a cultural shift within the company, one that addresses decades-old challenges around quality. Jaguar's future lineup aims to compete at the highest levels, with the first of the new generation— the 2026 GT— set to rival elite brands like Aston Martin and Bentley. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gUki-GUg #Jaguar #ElectricVehicles #LuxuryCars #MiamiArtWeek #AutomotiveInnovation #BrandRepositioning #ElectricLuxury

It's been interesting reading different views on Jaguar's 'relaunch' over the last couple of weeks. Firstly, the marketing has got the brand back in everyone's consciousness. Whoever came up with it needs a large bonus. but, is the new look and the marketing wrong? I think that they have it right. Each Jaguar car is different; they need to keep looking forward. If you go back to the 1960's Jaguar was a 'hip' brand, driven by actors and pop stars. The look and feel of what Jaguar are doing is going back to this. Think more Harry Styles and less Nigel Farage. The marketing is very arty, and I think that we need to get used to this as the customer base for all cars evolves. The shape and styling will evolve a bit over the next twelve months, but looks very promising. And they are limited to some extent by aerodynamics and ensuring a reasonable range and performance. My personal view is that Jaguar have looked at their options and come up with the most promising.

Wow, JLR moving forward Taking the bull by the horns come to mind, or maybe the cat by its ears.... Hey, excellence always stands out! The cream always rises to the top! Adrian Mardell I'm happy to test drive one for the next three years or four if that helps... 😉 .. Key Takeaways: JLR Adrian Mardell is making a significant push toward an all-electric future. Sustainability is central to their business strategy, impacting everything from production to sourcing. The brand is innovating with smart tech to enhance the driving experience. Performance remains a top priority, ensuring they stay true to their luxury and performance roots. JLR’s future plans reflect a company that’s serious about leading the market. Ryan Battles Colin Harty JLR North America JLR Canada #JaguarLandRover #JLRTransformation #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #LuxuryCars #AutomotiveInnovation #GreenTechnology #FutureOfAutomobiles #PerformanceMeetsSustainability #CarIndustry Im impressed JLR, your back in the game! https://lnkd.in/dknHDiW9