The Rt Hon Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, visited the Jaguar Land Rover stand at the Geneva Motor Show today (6th March).
JLR CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, and JLR Executive Director, Mike Wright, showed Dr Cable the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept, which were both unveiled at the show this morning.
The Geneva Motor Show saw the global debut of two models from Jaguar Cars: the XF Sportbrake and the XK/XKR Special Edition.
The new XF Sportbrake is a truly versatile derivative of Jaguar's globally acclaimed sporting saloon. With up to 1675 litres of load‑space and features including remote‑fold split rear seats, self‑levelling rear air suspension allied to Jaguar's Adaptive Dynamics System and the option of a fully‑powered rear tailgate, the XF Sportbrake represents a compelling combination of elegance and capability while retaining the model's core values of dramatic, muscular elegance, an involving driving experience and contemporary luxury.
The XK and XKR Special Edition models are the latest editions to the evolving XK range. Available in both coupe and convertible form, the Special Edition model's Artisan interior introduces the use of tactile 'scraffito' finished leather to the front seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings. In combination with Poltrona Frau® leather headlinings and an extensive standard specification list, each Special Edition model promises a heightened level of opulence and comfort.
The latest Jaguar models represent the next steps in its evolving product‑led revitalisation plan, and follow the launch of a new global marketing campaign and corporate image.
Said Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, Adrian Hallmark: "Jaguar's current range already represents an enviable combination of luxury, innovation and seductive performance, and we're working hard to build on those existing strengths by developing exciting new models and derivatives ‑ more of which you will see very soon. As that product‑led revitalisation continues, now is also the perfect time to re‑energise the Jaguar Brand, both to underline how ambitious we are, and to reach a new and enlightened customer base that is rightly demanding of the cars it buys.
"Our fresh corporate image and the new global marketing campaign both underline the confidence we have in our existing products, and set the tone for our future expansion."
Land Rover showcased its strongest ever product line up at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
Highlights included three show vehicles ‑ the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept, the 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery and the DC100 Land Rover Concept in snow and ice guise.
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept made its world motor show debut. The Evoque Convertible Concept vehicle will explore the potential for the world's first premium convertible SUV.
This bold concept builds on the global success of the Evoque and continues Land Rover's tradition for creating and leading new market segments. The concept is being shown to gauge reaction and to assess the market appetite for a premium convertible SUV.
In addition to this concept Land Rover also showcased the 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery which has been made at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull Manufacturing Plant near Birmingham in the UK.
To celebrate this milestone and demonstrate the Discovery's class defining versatility and all‑round capability, the 1,000,000th vehicle is embarking on a £1million (GBP) 'Journey of Discovery' from its birthplace in Birmingham to Beijing in China ‑ stopping off at the Geneva motor show on route.
The 50‑day, 8,000 mile adventure will be undertaken by three Land Rover Discovery vehicles travelling through more than a dozen countries across Europe and Central Asia, culminating at the Beijing motor show on 23 April.
The expedition marks Land Rover's most ambitious fund‑raising project yet by aiming to raise £1million (GBP) for the company's Global Humanitarian Partner, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The money will be used to support a much needed water sanitation project in Uganda.
The Land Rover DC100 Concept, displayed in a striking red livery, is now fitted with alpine accessories fit for Geneva. Technologies on the vehicle designed to help tackle extreme conditions include an automatic i‑Terrain device to assess surface conditions and respond accordingly and a driver activated spiked tyre system, which deploys at the touch of a button to help tackle slippery ice and snow.
