Currently reading: Jaguar C-X17 SUV should reach production, says design boss

Ian Callum thinks Jaguar should put the C-X17 SUV concept into production

A production version of the Jaguar C-X17 crossover SUV concept should be put into production, says the company's design director Ian Callum.

Although not officially confirmed for production, the C-X17's design and packaging "was feasible for manufacturing".

"We don't do concepts that overpromise," said Callum. "It is looking good. Although I can't confirm it for production, my personal view is that we should do it."

Callum has been pleased with reaction to the C-X17 since its reveal at the Frankfurt motor show in September and subsequent launches in shows in Dubai and Los Angeles.

"I had originally planned a speech with a defensive state of mind, saying we do have the right to do a car like this if we follow Jaguar values," said Callum.

"But I didn't need to use it as the world loves it. There has been no real dissenting voice, people are saying now its about time we joined the segment.

"It has been very well accepted. If we do it, it has to be a sports crossover, a driver's car, a performance car. It has to turn heads."

Read more LA motor show news.

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.