Jaguar is hatching a bold new plan. It’s no secret that a raft of new and exciting big cat models is on the way – but the greatest surprise is yet to come.
The manufacturer has dropped its biggest hint yet that a premium hatchback, conceived to go head-to-head with the BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 is on the way.
We’ve told you that Jaguar is currently working on a BMW 3-Series rival, a crossover, the F-Type two-seater roadster and a possible production version of the C-X75. But the news that a hatchback could be added to the list comes as a real shock.
It’s some way away from production, and although the compact five-door body is a departure, the philosophy behind it sticks closely to the brand’s core values. Hallmark confirmed: “If we go into the smaller car market, we want to build elegant models with great technology that give a sense of occasion and position us above the competition.”
Power is likely to come from a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder engines – one petrol, one diesel – while the underpinnings will be borrowed from the Range Rover Evoque. But the car will be front-wheel-drive only, to cut weight, complexity and cost.
