Jaguar crossover concept (2013) the first teaser shot

What looks like a screen grab from Sin City is in fact our first official glimpse of the new Jaguar crossover. The jacked-up, coupe-like CX-17 is one of two new models on the way from Gaydon, the other being the ‘X760’-codenamed 3-series rivalling sports saloon.

We don’t like them any more than you do, but in this case we’ll allow the Jaguar through the net. It is, after all, one of 2013’s most hotly anticipated designs, and a complete break with tradition for Sir William Lyons’ iconic leaping cat brand.

The slim, horizontal rear lights are clearly a carryover F-type feature, wrapping around the rear flank and slicing down the car’s rear quarter. The rake of that rear pillar does ape CAR’s own Jaguar XF Sportbrake estate long termer, but the lack of defined shutlines in the structure means it’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of the blacked-out pillar feature that characterises the Sportbrake and the XJ limousine.

Defined creases mark out the crossover’s aluminium flanks – dare we say it looks like a properly executed version of the Bentley EXP 9 F’s profile? With the design roll Jaguar is on at the moment thanks to Ian Callum’s XJ, Sportbrake and F-type, it’s odds-on the Jaguar crossover will be a real looker.

Sure is – all-wheel drive is already available on the XJ saloon, so it’s a given for the road-going CX-17. Rear-drive, like the new BMW X5, is likely for 'entry-level' models. It won’t be a dirt-destroying, mountain conquering off-roader – that’s the Range Rover’s job – but there will be a full suite of engines ranging from the miserly 2.2-litre diesel and V6 powerplants, while we have our fingers crossed for an X5M rival with Jaguar’s snarling V8. All are expected to be hooked up to a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission.

We’ll see more at the Frankfurt motor show next month, and while it’s officially a concept, it’s likely to hit showrooms sometime in 2014.

By Ollie Kew