In November, Jaguar announced that the next generation of the S-Type, Jaguar's midlevel luxury sedan, would be called XF. At Detroit, Jaguar showed the first concept car to bear that name, the C-XF. Jaguar showed the R-D6 concept as a possible S-Type replacement at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, but Jaguar says the C-XF is the new direction of Jaguar design. The exterior features a large horizontal mouth up front, slim cat's eye-shaped headlights, an unbroken upswept shoulder line running front to rear, and front fender vents reminiscent of the current Jaguar XK. Under the hood is the supercharged 4.2-liter V8 from the current Jaguar lineup.

Inside, Jaguar has crafted an interior that it says emphasizes performance over luxury. Bucket seats are found front and rear, with a full-length console running down the middle and aluminum trim ringing the cockpit. This concept also marks the first application of JaguarSense, a prototype technology that uses motion-detecting sensors to activate various features, allowing adjustments to be made with the sweep of a hand. Other interior quirks include a pulsating power button, aluminum rings that lower to reveal the gearshift, and a blue light that sweeps around the cabin upon startup. Blue light also emanates from the roofline and grille when the ignition is engaged.

Jaguar says XF will go on sale in spring 2008. While this concept probably more closely represents the equivalent of a high-performance R model, it is likely that many of its styling cues will make it to production.

Jaguar C-XF Concept

Volvo says its precursor to the 2009 XC60 production vehicle, the XC60 concept, not only provides a glimpse of the production XC60, but also future Volvo design cues. To accentuate its crossover architecture, Volvo aimed to give the XC60 concept the muscular, purposeful look of its line of XC SUVs below the beltline and the characteristics of a sporty coupe above. The 20-inch wheels fit both purposes.

The XC60 concept features several unique design traits. The roof is transparent dark-tinted glass on a Y-shaped structure, and the tailgate features a translucent (when viewed from the inside) lower panel that can slide over the upper panel. That upper panel can be opened separately or the whole unit can open as well. Interior design elements include a floating center stack with touch-sensitive controls on an iPod-inspired surface, "pony tail slots" in the seats and headrests, and a slide-control gear selector much like the controls of a music mixing board.

Known for safety, Volvo showed a new safety feature in the XC60. City Safety is an automatic braking system that senses if a collision is likely to occur and either precharges the brakes or applies them automatically depending on the speed difference between the vehicle and the object or vehicle ahead.

Under the hood of the XC60 concept is the 265-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder that was introduced in the 2007 Volvo S80. This version is a bit different, though, as it has been modified to accept E85 flex fuel. Volvo says the XC60 concept is capable of 19.2 mpg in E85 with a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds.

While some of the design elements probably won't make it to the production vehicle, the XC60 concept is an attractive precursor of Volvo's future cute ute. Look for it early in 2009.

Volvo XC60 Concept