6 September 2001: Jaguar will debut a new concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show to demonstrate how the company’s design philosophy may develop in coming years. The Jaguar R-Coupe is a four-seater coupe that reinterprets Jaguar’s core design values.

The proportions and stance of classic Jaguars from the 1950s and 1960s inspired the look of the R-Coupe, where strong, geometric forms underpin the car’s flowing lines. Exterior detail is restrained but picks up characteristic Jaguar design cues, such as the front grille.

The car’s interior puts a contemporary twist on the use of wood and leather, to create a luxurious environment influenced by the latest trends in furniture and interior design. Wood veneer sweeps right round the cabin, leather covers the floor as well as the seats, and many jewel-like details are silver-plated.

The R-Coupe is not intended for production, but it embodies themes and ideas that may find their way into future Jaguars. The concept is not based on any current or proposed Jaguar chassis, though it is constructed around a realistic four-seater package and a V8 powertrain. Further examples of advanced technology incorporated into the car’s design include F1-style ‘paddle shift’ gear-changing, headlight beams that follow steering direction, electronic door releases and a futuristic, voice-controlled telematics system.