Comments on: Quick Thoughts: Does my D-Pillar look big in this?

By: DTI

DTI — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:39:08 +0000

I’m not bothered by the rear pillar, in fact, I think I understand why they did it that way. When looking at the car from the side view, you read the chrome strip, and not the cantrail, top of the pillar or the Y-0. This creates the effect of a sleeker, more coupe-ish profile — a popular trend in 4-door luxury saloons these days. It also gives it a unique graphic look from the rear 3/4. You may like it or you may dislike it, but it’s at least a bold statement, and it will stand out in a crowd.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:00:43 +0000

I concur with the other comments, this post’s a great read, and it’s nice to see some prose focussing on details instead of inconsequential ramblings by motor journalists on aesthetics and quality.

My opinion on the Jag in question may sound too simplistic, especially after reading such well-spun statements, but here goes. I’m not too keen on the rear end as it seems too large, but the interior is, as you say, a refreshing contrast to the what the Germans do.

Surprised to read you used to own a CX. For what it’s worth, it’s one of my favourite cars of all time.

By: Massimo

Massimo — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:23:15 +0000

Fantastic article.

3 point to consider:

1)why the shoulder line merge on the body side, I see two reason in it,
the first is is a technical reason, by merging into the body side the engineers maximized interior space just where the front seat are, giving more space to the passenger shoulders feeling.
the second is a style point in a long car like this is possible that the designer wants to break the highlight running on the body side to not make it to boring. In this way they created a double highlights the your eyes have to read separately. It gives more eyes wondering. I agree with you the car would have look more muscular, but it is a long car and so this must be taken into consideration.

2)rear/back light and trunk lid, masking like Passat CC it is not possible here if you mask the trunk became too short and again in a saloon car has to be considered. Instead I agree that they should have shape differently the trunk lid, lowering down maybe just less than 1 inch the all
structure. This take us to the all design of the back it feels very vertical and heavy. Jaguar design knows it that why they have integrated an horizontal shadow in the rear mask of the trunk lid. It helps but does not solve the solution because the two rear lamps have a very strong presence.

3)the D pillar, what a mistake, only hope is that in production they will correct this pointless element. Just notice why you mask the pillar when you have a strong chrome feature in the DLO.

Ultimately rather than some correctable issue at the back a very well done executed design. You are right, if the quality is right could be a killer of the Germans.

By: Brian DR1665

Brian DR1665 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:46:37 +0000

What a great read! I read plenty of sites where people interested in cars and design talk about them, but I thoroughly enjoyed your point of view on this Jag.

Those D-pillars do force a double take when one follows the lines, and the tail lights are reminiscent of late-70s Cutlass, but over all, I really like how this car looks. It’s classy from just about every angle (such is the duty of press shots like these).

I particularly like the interior. I get what you’re saying about the blue LED lighting, but just about any other color of LED is going to look artificial. Perhaps that’s the underlying dislike of the lighting? Not necessarily that it’s blue, but cool and artificial in an otherwise warm and natural interior?

In any case, thanks for the quality read. Enjoyed it.