It is high time for Rover and Jaguar to show they can design for the future
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ROVER DIDN'T so much shoot itself in the foot at the Birmingham Show this week, as blast off both legs with a sawn-off shotgun. The British maker is renowned for clutching defeat from the jaws of victory, but last Tuesday's performance marked a spectacular new low for Britain's most important car company.
Five hours after unveiling the first new British Rover in more than 20 years, the company announced that it would close Longbridge unless the workers fell into line. Headlines that might have lauded a fine new British car, were replaced by stories about plant closures and redundancies.
Rover's engineers and designers had been strutting about with great pride that morning. They must have felt deflated the following day.
The new Rover 75 is a handsome, well engineered car that exudes olde worlde British charm. It is amazing that it has taken German owners to persuade Rover to make cars that look British again, even if it is a little too retro for many tastes. But if the designers had spent a bit less time rummaging around in the loft, and bit more time looking ahead, the 75 might have been even better.
The other big British star at Birmingham is the new Jaguar S-type. As with the Rover, it's a retro design and name. It is high time for Jaguar to show that it can design for the future, rather than rehash its past. A quick look at the new Alfa 156 and Audi TT shows it can be done.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments