Over the past couple of years, Jaguar's->ke39 design overhaul has yielded some pretty impressive models and it's worth noting that the company's promise to reinvent itself as a sharper and edgier brand has turned into a resounding success.

With new models like the F-Type Roadster, and concepts like the C-X16 and Project 7, the British brand has been on some kind of roll lately.

Continuing on the "C-X" nomenclature, Jag is gearing up for its latest concept offering, which will be shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. It's been dubbed the C-X17 Concept, and it previews the company's first-ever five-door crossover. The concept will also preview a highly-advanced modular aluminum architecture set to be put into production in 2015 with the company's new sedan.

Updated 09/09/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images, specs and video.

Updated 11/14/13: Jaguar has just unveiled a series of new images showing the C-X17 concept's stunning exterior in a sexy white hue. You can see the images in the gallery and after the jump.

Updated 01/16/2914: Jaguar unveiled a new version of its C-X17 sports crossover concept at the 2014 Brussels Motor Show. This time the concept features a very cool Italian Racing Red exterior paint that makes it look even cooler. Check out the new images in the picture gallery.

Click past the jump to read more about the Jaguar C-X17 Concept.

2014 Jaguar C-X17 Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Jaguar C-X17 Concept
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 240
  • Torque: 240
  • Transmission: nine-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new C-X17 concept continues to improve the design language started with the F-Type Roadster, and is defined by purity of form, beauty of line and balance of proportion. Up front, the concept features a long hood with twin "power bulges," a prominent grille and stand-out headlights. The concept's grille and headlights drew their inspiration from the XJ sedan, as the grille features a hexagonal pattern with small aluminum panels.

When viewed from the side, it's pretty easy to notice the concept's twin heart lines, with their clean and simple design. On the rear, it gets taillights and detailing inspired by the F-Type Roadster, and a distinctive cantilevered spoiler over a steeply raked rear window.

The concept in Frankfurt wears a Caesium Blue hue with gloss-black on the window liners. It sits on 23-inch wheels finished in a Dark Atlas graphite grey with gloss-black finishers on the spokes.

Interior

While elements of the exterior will most likely be kept on the production version, the interior is a little bit too futuristic to be in a road-going car. The concept's interior is a blend of premium, traditionally crafted materials and the highest technologies.

All the four passengers enjoy individual bucket seats, with two additional leisure seats in the rear cargo area made from milled aluminum and finished in Connolly saddle leather. The concept also comes equipped with a unique panoramic roof, with the interior featuring a series of sculpted vanes shaped to create a ring of space that enables a whole-roof view of the sky above.

When designing the interior of the C-X17, Jaguar took its inspiration from a variety of objects from the real world, ranging from extruded aluminum lampshades and lattice-framed stools to premium leather shoes, jackets and handbags.

The concept's seats, instrument panel, floors, doors and boot are finished in an overlapping combination of Jet saddle leather and Orchid leather panels developed by British leather specialist Connolly. This shade of leather combines with a gloss black color and ruthenium to make the interior pop.

One of the most interesting technological components that the concept offers is an Interactive Surface Console that runs the length of the SUV’s center tunnel and features a series of interconnecting touchscreens encased in transparent acrylic glass. This system uses a secure, in-car WiFi network, and allows passengers to interact with their friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media channels.

Drivetrain

Jaguar offered no details on the engine to be powering the new C-X17 Concept, but announced that for the future models it prepared a new range of engines, featuring the latest innovations in fuel-efficient technologies. The company's new sedan will be the first to be offered with a range of all-new, four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, allowing Jaguar to break the 100g CO2/km barrier for the first time. There will also be a choice of V-6 engines, like the ones used in the F-Type sports roadster.

All-new aluminum architecture

One of the most interesting features previewed by the C-X17 concept is the new all-aluminum platform set to be put into production in 2015. Jaguar will first use this architecture in its upcoming sedan, making it the first aluminum monoculture product in its segment.

The new platform is modular and scalable, and will offer Jaguar the chance to develop a wider bandwidth of models and derivatives than ever before. It was built using innovative technologies, like the new high-strength alloy made from almost 100-percent recycled raw material. Also, thanks to this new platform, Jaguar will have the possibility to manufacture different products on the same production line at the same time.

When can I drive one?

Most likely you will never have the chance to test the C-X17 concept, but its technologies will be featured in the company's first ever crossover set to arrive in 2016.

Competitors

Audi Q5

The second SUV in Audi's lineup -- the Q5 -- became a hit on the market shortly after its official release in 2008. In May 2013, it manage to dethrone the best sold model from Audi's lineup -- the A4 -- so we think it's safe to say that people were more than impressed by it.

The Q5 is offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that packs 220 horsepower and an upgraded supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The model is priced from $35,900.

BMW X3

Minus its aging looks, the X3 is positioned to be a key competitor for the Jag crossover. It comes with a choice of four engines, with power ranging from 184 horsepower in the xDrive20i version and up to 300 horsepower in the xDrive35i version.

The X3 is priced from $39,600.

Conclusion

It's true, the C-X17 is just a concept car, but even so, it shows us just how serious Jaguar is about its future models. It will be cool to see some of the concept's interior features in the production version, but as there is pretty much no chance for this to happen. Even without the interior tech, that stunning exterior and Jaguar drivetrain makes us drool.