New Family of Jaguar SUVs to Focus on Sportiness

Jaguar Cars Ltd. is developing a family of sporty SUVs to complement its new midsize F-Pace model, Autocar reports.

Sources tell the German magazine the new crossover/SUVs will range from a subcompact model, which would compete against the Audi Q1 and Mini Countryman, to coupe-like and high-performance variants.

Due to be unveiled next month at the Frankfurt auto show, the F-Pace will be Jaguar's first SUV. Sales will begin early next year.

There's more financial incentive for Jaguar to introduce a small SUV instead of a minicar, Autocar says, noting that SUVs typically can be priced higher. But the company has backed off on plans for a larger, three-row SUV that can seat seven people because the vehicle wouldn't fit the sporty performance and styling demands of the new SUV family, according to the report.

The coupe-like SUVs would feature a streamlined profile and compete against similar models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Jaguar's high-performance SUVs likely would be badged as "R" or "SVR" models, Autocar notes. The magazine says an all-electric model also is under consideration.