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Jaguar is in the early stages of developing a crossover, one of a suite of four vehicles including Land Rovers, plus variants, to be launched from 2013 on a new midsize aluminum platform.

The platform is longitudinal front-engine, and supports both rear and all-wheel drive. Jaguar's aluminum monocoque body technique, currently used in the XK and XJ, is the lowest weight and lowest cost among large-scale rivals, JLR parent Tata Motors' CEO Carl-Peter Forster claims. It takes 350 to 500 pounds out of each vehicle by replacing steel, Forster adds. This includes the body savings and the other savings that follow-the ability to use a lighter powertrain, suspension parts, brakes, tires, and other components. Jaguar will build all its cars off two aluminum architectures.

The larger one supports the new XJ, the follow-up to the XK and the 2014 XF. The architecture is distantly related to what also supports the 2013 Range Rover and 2014 Range Rover Sport. The new midsize architecture falls below that. Jaguar will use it for a sports car, a sedan, and eventually its crossover. Jaguar already has its AWD system under development, and urgently wants it for the XF and XK. Company marketers ruefully note that 25 percent of all cars in this segment worldwide are AWD, and in the U.S. snowbelt, it's a far higher proportion than that-think quattro, xDrive, 4Matic. For 2013, Jaguar will have AWD variants of the XJ and XF, running ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission.

The crossover's design, not yet frozen, will have to suit Jaguar's brand direction of modernity and seductiveness, which means it will be low, sleek, and sporty. Power will come from a new V-6 engine derived from the company's V-8, plus diesels for Europe.

There will also be a hybrid. JLR says various types of hybrids will account for some 50 percent of JLR sales by 2020. A full parallel system with a 35-kW motor is under development for 2012's all-new Range Rover and shortly after that, the Jaguar XJ. A plug-in version with a 69-kW motor and 14.2-kWh battery is due shortly after.

Jaguar's crossover is some ways off, and will be the third model from architecture that will spawn the much-awaited, tentatively named F-Type sports car followed by a sedan. The sports car should be a properly exciting Jag. This baby is due as coupe and roadster for MY2013.

The likely topline engine is the V-6 based off the V-8. When supercharged, the V-6 would push out nearly 400 horsepower. A micro-hybrid system is to be fitted, and AWD would also be offered later.

As with recent Jaguars, there will be little retro or conservative styling. As Jaguar global brand director Adrian Hallmark puts it, "No one spends money to make himself look older or less attractive than he really is."

Concept sketches show surfacing very similar to the C-X75 concept, a visual link Jaguar will want to maintain with the supercar, which has been confirmed for production. Feline bulges over the front wheels and fender vents behind emphasize the low stance. The F-type coupe will have a glass house like a shrunken XK.

After the F-type debuts, its platform will be used for a small fastback sedan. Look up Audi's not-for-U.S. A5 Sportback for a big hint at its styling. With an aluminum architecture, longitudinal engine, rear drive, and forward-looking design, it will make an entirely different statement from last decade's sorry excuse for an entry-level Jag sedan, the X-Type.

Powertrain possibilities will range from a four-cylinder-derived from the Ford Ecoboost used in the Range Rover Evoque, turned 90 degrees to a longitudinal layout. Jaguar also will offer a 2.2-liter clean diesel and a 3.7-liter V-6 gas engine, plus hybrid and AWD options.

Sourse: http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1108_jaguar_getting_a_crossover/index.html