Jaguar Bertone B99

Bertone has unveiled the B99 concept, its take on what a future small Jaguar should look like.

Measuring 4.6 metres long - about the same as a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it’s an extremely elegant design that mimics the glasshouse and overall proportions of previous generation XJ saloons.



And that’s the problem, because Jaguar styling has moved on over the past five years.



The XF and current XJ demonstrate a conscious effort to break away from the constraints of a retro design language. That makes it hard to see the regressive B99 sitting comfortably within today’s range.



It’s also questionable whether certain features, such as the low roofline, clamshell doors and pillarless construction, would actually be carried over onto a production version. Take those away, and the danger is that Jaguar would end up with another X-Type. Not necessarily a bad car, but not the best-looking Jaguar ever, either.