Report: Jaguar to ditch current nameplates for alphanumeric badges?

Filed under: Jaguar

2012 Jaguar XJ

2012 Jaguar XJ – Click above for high-res image gallery

An automaker can’t make it in the fringe anymore. Everything’s going either upmarket or mainstream, and Jaguar has opted primarily for the latter. The company that not so long ago offered essentially one sedan and one two-door is rapidly expanding to a full lineup. So what’s the next step? According to the rumormeisters over at Autocar, it’s ditching its current model naming strategy.

According to the UK publication, Jaguar is preparing to jettison nameplates like XJ and XF in favor of a more conventional alphanumeric system like those employed by its German and Japanese rivals. The thinking is that while the faithful know Coventry’s naming system, it’s not immediately evident to newcomers and outsiders where one model sits in the line-up vis-a-vis the next. Besides, it won’t be the first time Jag has slapped alphanumeric badges like XJ8 on the flanks of its cars.

One model could possibly hold out, though, as the C-X75 heads down the road to production. Filling the shoes of the iconic XJ220, the company is reportedly toying with the idea of naming the new supercar XJ330. The original was named for the 220 mph top speed it was aimed to reach (but never did), and the new model is targeted to hit a more realistic 205 mph – or 330 km/h on the metric scale.

Jaguar to ditch current nameplates for alphanumeric badges? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: House members call on EPA to ditch automobile letter grades

Filed under: Government/Legal

EPA fuel economy labels
EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels – Click above for high-res versions

It seems John Q. Public isn’t the only one who thinks the letter grades the Environmental Protection Agency was planning to put on new car window stickers are confusing. Need a refresher? Check out our previous breakdown on the two window sticker options the EPA was proposing.

According to a report from CNBC, 53 members of the House sent a letter to the EPA in opposition to the proposed new labels. The main sticking point is that the House disagrees that only electric cars and plug-in hybrids should get the highest grades of A and A+.

As an alternative, the House is reportedly suggesting that the EPA figure out a way to continue promoting the tried-and-true miles-per-gallon rating system. It should be pointed out, though, that the old method of rating vehicles using an assigned mpg figure has its detractors too… and for good reason.

Gallery: EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels

[Source: CNBC]

Report: House members call on EPA to ditch automobile letter grades originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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