The car buying public is marching out of step - with me. Millions of you out there, when visiting those shrines to mammon, aka car showrooms, choose to buy an SUV these days. Thus, given the exponential growth of this market, just about every car maker - be they premium brands or less aspirational - has got into the SUV building schtick.

Am I the only person on God’s earth to actively dislike these conveyances? Now a stonking "proper" Range Rover, a Toyota Land Cruiser or - my personal choice - a ruffty tuffty go anywhere five-door Mitsubishi Shogun are fine and purpose serving in a way that most poncy SUVs are not.

The real horror of it all kicked off over a decade back when Porsche, of all manufacturers, introduced its Cayenne SUV to a startled world. It was initially so ugly that I hid it in my barn overnight so as not to frighten the milkman
in the early morning murkiness. I recall broadcasting and writing at the time - What next, a Ferrari people carrier? As it turned out, the Cayenne saved Porsche’s bacon.

Turns out that I had been mildly prescient given that Maserati - yes Maser-bloody-rati - has last year produced an SUV as well, called Levante, and it’s horrid and wrong, though I suspect doing good business in Cheshire, driven solely by the orange painted WAGS of oikballists.

However, it is vitriolic spleen by the barrel that I reserve for the the new Bentley Bentayga and, upon seeing one on the road, mercifully rarely, I struggle not to make disgusting gestures at their drivers. Poor old WO Bentley would surely spin in his grave were hero see what the Germans have finally done in his name.

Inevitably there would come a time when Jaguar would have no option but to join the SUV fray, which it did early last year with the Ian Callum penned F-Pace. Jag’s biggest market, golf playing USA demanded it and sales were slumping. Well, they had the platforms from their Land Rover arm, so business decisions were made. The F-Pace was - and remains a big hit. After 2000 miles in one, even I liked it.

To keep up with trends, the next step for Jaguar was to build a mid size SUV…and here it comes well, early next year anyway. Ian Callum’s E-Pace.

Much shouting and champagne during July’s London reveal. Oh, and if you like this sort of thing, it looks pretty good. Actually, you’ll say stunning, which in this crowded and German dominated market, it needs to be.

The car’s underpinned by the same platform that sees service in the Evoque and Discovery Sport - so OK then.

Initially you’ll have the choice of 2 litre petrol or diesel engines, both turbo-charged, of course. They’ll be married to ZF’s 9 speed automatic, with front-wheel or four-wheel drive. Most punters will surely opt for the 4x4 offering
which, through a multi plate clutch will transfer drive to the rear as and when needed.

It’s obvious that Jaguar is keen to rid itself of the undeserved old man’s car image and styling wise, not to mention engineering, this could be the car to swing it towards the younger punter.

Expect prices to start at around £28000 for a boggo job and rise to, say, nearly £50000 for the full whistles and bells model.