The R-Coupé´s powerful flowing lines are underpinned by strong, geometric forms that resonate with the proportions and stance of classic Jaguars from the 1950s and 1960s. At the same time, the car is unashamedly contemporary, with space-age technology seamlessly integrated into the design.

Exterior detail picks up characteristic Jaguar design cues, such as the front grille. Inside, the car´s warm and rich interior puts a contemporary twist on the use of wood and leather, to create a relaxed, futuristic environment. Wood veneer sweeps right round the cabin, leather covers the floor as well as the seats, and many jewel-like details are silver-plated.

One of the most valuable benefits of creating a concept car is the opportunity to test innovative technology, and public reaction to it, in a real driveable car.

The advanced technology incorporated into the car´s design includes Formula One style ´paddle shift´ gear-changing, headlight beams that follow steering direction, electronic door releases and a futuristic, an interactive LCD control management system and voice-controlled telematics system.

"With the R-Coupé we have the ability both to explore and to display our future design philosophy for Jaguar."

"Concept cars like this provide an incomparable opportunity for us to try out new ideas and to experience them in a full-size, three-dimensional format. We´re looking forward to learning a great deal from the reactions of the public too"

"The R-Coupé demonstrates that you can maintain traditional Jaguar design values - proportions, stance and graphic cues - and create an advanced car around them. The exterior looks engineered, not merely styled. Its integrity comes from strong, geometric forms such as the tubular fuselage -recalling that of the Jaguar E-Type. Themes and ideas embodied in this design will find their way into our future production cars."

Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director

The design team responsible for creating the R-Coupe was led by Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars Limited. He set up the 15-strong Advanced Design studio, headed by Julian Thomson, which took the lead role in bringing the R-Coupé to life, working with Callum to develop Jaguar´s new design philosophy and design language.

Following initial designs, Matthew Beaven was appointed lead designer on developing the exterior, while Mark Phillips became lead interior designer. The design of the Jaguar R-Coupe was finalised early in 2001, and the team held regular reviews throughout the development process with Ian Callum.

According to Callum, the R-Coupe´s proportions suggest power and movement, reminiscent of classic Jaguars. One of the key design objectives was to match the beautifully balanced proportions of the Company´s earlier cars. Equally fundamental to the character of a true Jaguar is the car´s stance - the relationship between the road, the wheels and the body.

The cabin of the R-Coupé tucks down between the massive wheels to create the classic, muscular Jaguar stance. The side window trim subtly widens as it runs back, just as the flowing waistline carries the eye along the length of the car. Solid silver badges and silver-plated detailing complement the four aluminium tailpipes, 10-spoke alloy wheels and aluminium monobloc four-piston callipers, while dual silver-plated filler caps bring a gracious echo of classic Jaguars from the Fifties and Sixties. The adaptive front lighting system features four pencil-beam Xenon headlights with the outboard main beams have two-axis pivoting to automatically follow steering direction. Front fog lights and indicators feature LED technology as does the progressive brake light system.

The striking interior of the R-Coupé features a rich wood and leather centre console from front to rear. A broad sweep of ebony macassar wood veneer surrounds the cabin, while the soft, blond Connolly hide on the seats contrasts with deep brown saddle leather on the floor and dashboard. The rich detail of the cabin is studded with jewel-like instruments and switches, soft touch controls and silver-plated trim. The unique foldaway interactive LCD screen and voice activated telematics gives driver and passenger control of audio, climate control, telephone, navigation, TV, e-mail and internet while ambient footwell lighting helps to reinforce the sensation of quiet, restrained luxury.