Jaguar->ke39 is about to launch its first crossover,->ke288 the 2016 F-Pace, to join the ever-growing SUV->ke145 market, but the Brits don't want to stop here. Following rumors that they could also develop a larger SUV under the J-Pace moniker, word now has it a crossover smaller than the F-Pace is on the drawing board as well. Now, Car Magazine reports that this third high-rider could be named the E-Pace and rival the likes of the BMW X3->ke255 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.->ke4968

Such a crossover would make sense to Jaguar's bean-counters. The E-Pace would be small enough to share underpinnings with the Range Rover Evoque,->ke3666 which would allow for reduced development and production costs. The same platform, the Land Rover D8, is also used on the new Discovery Sport. The all-steel structure isn't just relatively cheap to build, but it's also flexible with body style variations and simple to tweak in terms of engineering.

However, a D8-based E-Pace would mean that this new crossover won't benefit from Jaguar's new aluminum-intensive platform for both the upcoming F-Pace and the XE->ke3138 sedan. Unless Jag finds a way to significantly improve the D8 platform, the E-Pace might find it difficult to compete against the X3 and GLC.

The E-Pace is still at least three years away if Jaguar decided to build it, which means plenty of time for the Brits to shift the project toward a lighter platform.

Continue reading to learn more about the future Jaguar crossover.

Why it matters

We're living in a SUV-thirsty market and Jaguar, much like most car makers these days, is moving fast toward a full family of crossovers. It's no secret that SUVs are big profit-makers and can grow a company at a spectacular rate. BMW->ke178 and Porsche->ke1 already did it and it seems Jaguar now wants a piece of the action too.

Of course, some Jaguar enthusiasts might find this upsetting, but they shouldn't forget that large profits from SUVs is what keeps the sports-car business alive in the case of many automakers. Just like the Cayenne->ke212 saved the 911,->ke282 a full roster of Jaguar SUVs would provide the necessary funds for a second-generation F-Type->ke1224 and a new XK.->ke1153

2016 Jaguar F-Pace

Find out more about the Jaguar F-Pace in our speculative review here.