Jaguar R-D6 Concept

Jaguar Cars unveiled the R-D6 concept at the IAA in Frankfurt last week, with an evolution of the classic Jaguar design cues said to preview the next S-Type mid-size sedan. Signalling a desire to expand the use of the aluminum chassis featured in the new XJ-Series, Jaguar has created a compact four-door coupé that would be a strong competitor for Audi's A3 and the coming BMW 1-Series. Despite similarities to sister-company Mazda's RX-8 however, budgetary priorities apparently rule out that possibility.

"R-D6 represents the pure, sensuous and sporting design that will feature in all new Jaguars, but more than this it is a vision of the future of premium motoring: beautiful, fast, agile, efficient and fun. The fact that it is the most compact four-seater Jaguar ever and defies categorization makes it even more intriguing and desirable."

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars

The 2.7 L bi-turbo V6 is a tuned version of the DT17 diesel engine that will make its debut in the S-TYPE in 2004. With in excess of 230 hp and a massive 500 Nm of torque, the V6 diesel engine endows R-D6 with the pace to satisfy its looks and R-Performance rating. Acceleration from standstill to the benchmark 60 mph takes less than six seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 155 mph.

At 4,330 mm long, R-D6 is 342 mm shorter than Jaguar's smallest car, the X-TYPE saloon — and 760 mm shorter than an XK8 coupé. The compact length of R-D6 is aided by short overhangs front and rear (800 mm and 695 mm respectively) and is achieved with a wheelbase of 2,840 mm. To ensure R-D6 is a true four-seater, the design team expanded the width to an astounding 2,150 mm (wider than Cadillac's Sixteen concept) and kept roof height to a respectable 1,390 mm, crafting a beautifully compact coupé that has all the road presence that you expect of a Jaguar.

"We've already proved with the new XJ what advantages there are in using aluminium within a lightweight vehicle structure. It's natural that this technology will feature in Jaguar's future — and what better place to start than R-D6."

Phil Hodgkinson, Programmes Director, Jaguar Cars

The aluminium chassis of R-D6 is similar to that of the new XJ and is constructed using many of the same advanced technologies — with all the accompanying advantages, including outstanding strength, robustness and durability in a true lightweight architecture. Castings such as the front suspension turrets have also benefited from techniques used in the new XJ, while the body is of aluminium and composite materials. Despite these efforts the sheer width and larger diesel engine seems to have cost the R-D6 dearly, with a weight of 1500 kg significantly higher than compact sports cars such as the Lexus IS200 or the RX-8 from sister company Mazda.

R-D6 rides on 21-inch wheels, machined from solid aluminium specifically for this car. They are shod with unique, ultra-low-profile Pirelli tires: 255/30 R21 on the front and a massive 275/30 R21 on the rear. Look through the spokes of the beautiful wheels and you'll see Jaguar R-Performance discs and calipers.

Aluminium is featured extensively in the interior in both milled and formed guise. Two types of leather — lightly grained, carbon-black aniline and 8 mm thick black saddle leather — are used throughout the interior. Satin-finish Black American Walnut veneer complements the Piano Black gloss veneer that was introduced on the new XJ. To one side is a door featuring aluminium and two types of leather, and in the centre a section of the American Walnut wood veneer that runs from the front to the rear of the cabin. Controls for motorized movement of the seat are integrated into the recessed armrest. The seat itself is constructed with internal ducts to allow heating or cooling according to driver preference.

In the area immediately below the seats and extending partially into the footwell, the wooden floor is obscured by a 'floating floor' of tensioned thick saddle leather that 'flows' over the transmission tunnel and is also visible at the outer edges of the cabin floor. The 25 mm gap between the leather and the wood, aided by apertures in the latter, forms part of the climate-control system. Where it tops the transmission tunnel, the leather is inset with an aluminium gearshift surround. The milled aluminium lever itself — which operates a six-speed manual transmission — is located in an aluminium, domed hemisphere in place of a traditional soft gaiter. But the 'hidden' feature you will touch every time you get in the car is secreted in the top of the gearshift, below a swivelling top piece. Much like the safety-catch on a gun — or the top of a fighter aircraft joystick — this covers a silver button with a very important duty. Press it and the V6 engine — and the R-D6 — springs into life.

A broad, solid aluminium 'switch beam', topped by an aniline leather-trimmed lower instrument panel, runs across the fascia. It is broken in the centre by a cover for the navigation and 'infotainment' display screen, revealed when the cover swivels backwards into the instrument panel. The touch-sensitive screen, developed by Alpine Electronics, features unique 'Shutter LCD' technology that allows passengers to watch a moving image — for example, a DVD — while the driver sees only the essential driving functions: navigation, climate-control etc.

The rear of R-D6 features two individual seats accessed via rear-hinged doors. When the rear seats are unoccupied, the entire assembly can slide forward to almost interlock with the front seats. This doubles boot capacity, but here's the really clever bit: the boot floor is a two-layer design, with the upper layer — and, of course, any luggage placed on it — moving forward with the seats to save you having to reorganize the boot. The side-hinged tailgate, the style of which will be familiar to anyone who has owned a Jaguar E-type coupé, is as practical as it is stylish, allowing rear headroom to be optimised.