The Jaguar R-D6
Published: 20th September 2003
If all of this is detail, it is the view straight ahead from the driver's seat that shows exactly what sort of car R-D6 is. Pride of place goes to the dial pack, encased in aluminium and inherently sports-focused. The tachometer is positioned centrally, with the speedometer smaller and to the right. To the other side, in an adjoining 'pod', are the usual fuel and temperature gauges and other warning lights. All the dial faces have a white ceramic appearance and R-Performance branding, and a milled aluminium rear-view mirror looks perfectly at home. This blend of racetrack and luxury road styles is typical of R-D6 and emphasises its seductive nature.
A broad, solid aluminium 'switch beam', topped by an aniline leather-trimmed lower instrument panel, runs across the facia. It is broken in the centre by a cover for the navigation and 'infotainment' display screen, revealed when the cover swivels backwards into the instrument panel. The touch-sensitive screen, developed by Alpine Electronics, features unique 'Shutter LCD' technology that allows passengers to watch a moving image – for example, a DVD – while the driver sees only the essential driving functions: navigation, climate-control etc.
The facia hood – which stretches back to a veneered wood surround at the base of the windscreen – is of black saddle leather, which is again designed to give the appearance of being a 'floating' structure.
Surrounded by such contemporary opulence and yet aware of the fact that this is actually a compact sports coupe, it is no surprise for a driver to find a three-spoke, tri-material (aluminium, leather and Piano Black wood) steering wheel and drilled aluminium foot pedals. Both are a natural choice.
The rear cabin of R-D6 is equal in style and comfort to the front. Two individual seats are accessed via rear-hinged doors, and passengers are treated not only to comfortable, moulded seats, but also to a surprising amount of room.
When the rear seats are unoccupied, the entire assembly can slide forward to almost interlock with the front seats. This doubles boot capacity, but here's the really clever bit: the boot floor is a two-layer design, with the upper layer - and, of course, any luggage placed on it – moving forward with the seats to save you having to reorganise the boot.
The side-hinged tailgate, the style of which will be familiar to anyone who has owned a Jaguar E-type coupe, is as practical as it is stylish, allowing rear headroom to be optimised.
And what of those idiosyncratic Jaguar touches?
Interior lighting is usually provided by clear glass courtesy lights, but R-D6 is altogether more passionate, with ambient floor lighting activated when the door opens to provide a welcoming, deep red glow.
But the 'hidden' feature you will touch every time you get in the
car is secreted in the top of the gearshift, below a swivelling
top piece. Much like the safety-catch on a gun – or the top
of a fighter aircraft joystick – this covers a silver button
with a very important duty. Press it and the V6 engine – and
the R-D6 – springs into life. Just the kind of dramatic touch
you'd expect of a Jaguar.
