Classic comeback? Could Jaguar Design Director’s one-off MKII recreation signal something bigger?

By Marcus Amick March 13, 2013

News that Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum will design a special one-off of the Jaguar MKII makes you wonder what else he might have up his sleeve.

The iconic MKII, once used in the ‘60s as police vehicles to chase bank robbers, is considered one of the most timeless British car designs from the past 50 years and is a much sought-after collectors piece.

“This is the first classic Jaguar I have ever owned,” Callum said in a statement. “I have greatly admired the Jaguar MKII since I was a boy. Now I have the chance to ‘build’ one to my exact design specifications.”

To design the MKII, Callum is teaming up with Classic Motor Cars (CMC), of Bridgnorth, England, which just announced that it will start supplying classic Jaguars to Stratstone, Europe’s largest independent Jaguar.

In addition to some different styling cues, the MKII that Callum and Classic Motor Cars will build will also include some engineering modifications.

Even as a one-off, it’ll be interesting to see if any of design cues on Callum’s MKII will wind up influencing any future Jaguars.

Callum, who is credited with helping to spearhead the rebirth of the marquee with cars like the XJ, speaks a lot about how cars of Jaguar’s heyday have influenced his design approach to current models.

However, maybe it’ll be Callum’s design work with some of the more recent Jaguars that will influence his recreation of the MKII with CMC with a limited-edition line of classic new Jaguars to follow.

Either way, it’ll be an interesting project to follow and one that’ll likely wind up being one of the most coveted Jaguars to date.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.