Jaguar's C-X17 SUV is still a few years away from production, but our brief first drive of the radical concept shows huge promise.
The interior details aren't right, but so much more is spot-on. And why should they not: this is the fastest-growing premium sector going, Audi and BMW have been making hay in it for years, and the growth won't be stopping any time soon.
Jaguar's people on the ground maintain their discretion to the end. Their conversation is peppered with "if we were to make a car like this" and "were we considering a crossover" but despite these superhuman efforts at polite obfuscation, the truth is clear.
As someone said, you can see it in the specially designed and engineered exterior revision mirrors. And lights. In a couple of years' time, after the saloons have had their day in the sun, there is going to be a production C-X17 - possibly not named thus - and it is going be a terrific car.
STEVE CROPLEY, AUTOCAR UK