The Jaguar Symbol

The Leaping Jaguar is an iconic car logo in automotive history, but many Malibu drivers probably did not know that there are two Jaguar logos. While searching for your next new Jaguar vehicle, learn about the history of the Jaguar logo, the emblem’s meaning, and more from the team at Jaguar Santa Monica. When you’ve found the vehicle that’s going to take your commute to exciting new levels, give us a call!

The Meaning of the Jaguar Logos

The Jaguar symbol shines a new light on the idea of a spirit animal. The goal was to create a symbol that meets the values of a performance-focused luxury brand, as well as making sure to represent “grace, elegance, performance, power, and the ambition to leap forward.”

• The Leaping Jaguar emblem is a sleek silver jaguar cat in mid-leap with a snarl on its face. This Jaguar symbol was originally introduced as a hood ornament, but it’s now a two-dimensional badge in silver, metallic gray, and black.
• The Roaring Jaguar is a circular emblem with a front-facing silver jaguar cat roaring. Drivers will typically see it with a red background and silver border. However, earlier versions include a gold Jaguar with a black border and red background.

The Jaguar colors of silver and metallic gray symbolize modernity and sophistication, black exemplifies integrity and performance, and the red is for the passion for the drive.

Jaguar Symbol: The Beginnings

Jaguar had a more modest start with a British automotive company. Let’s take a look at the history of the Jaguar logo:

• 1922 – The Swallow Sidecar Company was founded, manufacturing sidecars for motorcycles in England, and the company was renamed and rebranded as an automotive manufacturer – SS Cars Limited in 1934.
• 1935 – The SS Jaguar was produced as the first model featuring the name Jaguar. During this time, the Jaguar symbol featured on the models was a badge with the text “Jaguar” surrounded by the wings and tail of a bird.
• 1945 – The SS Cars Limited brand was renamed as Jaguar Cars Limited to establish themselves as a British brand while avoiding any confusion with the Nazi SS military group operating during World War II.
• 1945 – The famous Leaping Jaguar logo was first introduced on hood ornaments. The brand kept the style unchanged until the early 2000s.

Jaguar Hood Ornament: Changing the Iconic Symbol

Several reasons led to the removal of hood ornaments from Jaguar models and many other vehicles around the world. 

• 1968 – The federal seat belt law passed, and this led to a huge shift in the way vehicles were designed. This meant that flashy styles like fins and hood ornaments took a back seat to focus on aerodynamics and passenger and pedestrian safety.
• The 1980s – Theft of hood ornaments skyrocketed due to the rising fashion trend of wearing hood ornaments as necklaces. Since the cost of replacing them was high, it led to fewer cars being made with them.
• 2005 – The European Union initiated safety regulations for pedestrian safety, which required hood ornaments to collapse, bend, or fold away if a frontal collision were to occur. Many luxury brands like Jaguar removed the hood ornaments to make the production run smoothly.

Drivers can still find the Leaping Jaguar on newer models, as a silhouetted badge-style version of itself placed on the driver’s side and rear of the vehicle. Pacific Palisades drivers will now find a circular Roaring Jaguar emblem front and center on the grille.

Find Your Luxury Jaguar Vehicle in Santa Monica

Interested in upgrading your current ride with a new Jaguar vehicle? Get more details about the performance, design, and history of Jaguar at Jaguar Santa Monica near Brentwood. Peruse our current offers for additional savings. We can’t wait to help you find the high-performance luxury car best suited for you. Have any questions in the meantime? Give us a call!