Ian Callum

By Caroline Tell

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO DESIGN CARS?

When I was 5 years old. I was fearful I couldn't do anything else. So at age 11 or 12, I wrote to Jaguar that I wanted to work for them. Growing up in a small provincial town in Scotland, you didn't see any interesting cars, but you saw Jags.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE NEW XK?

Over the past 20 years we have fallen into an image of being too much on the heritage side of things. The world is younger minded now, especially in the U.S., and this car is designed to appeal to people who want something a bit more modern and fresh aesthetically.

DO YOU KEEP WOMEN IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING?

Of course. If you get the design right, you can appeal to both men and women. This car is less genteel than the last car--more masculine in presence, but it hasn't lost its beauty, and that's the difference. Women appreciate beauty, and this car is beautiful and it's practical. Women are more practical than men.

DO GLAMOUR AND FASHION FIT INTO A JAGUAR?

I've always seen a Jag as a glamorous car. Glamour is about beauty, being respected and admired. The nice thing is that no one gives me any abuse in Jags. That's part of having a glamorous side to it. Everyone has too much respect for it to abuse it. If I drive it fast, people admire it rather than throw a comment back. Not many brands get away with that.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAR DESIGN OF ALL TIME?

The 1961 Ferrari SWB 250. It's a very pure, simple, beautiful car--understated but done by a master--and I think it costs about a million these days. My favorite Jag has to be the E-type. That's my second favorite car of all time, a '61 coup.