offer unprecedented levels of acoustic performance in the in-car environment. The first Bowers & Wilkins in-car system debuts in Jaguar's Detroit concept car the C-XF. From the start of the project Bowers & Wilkins has been involved in the development of the system and each element has been devised using technologically-advanced concepts aimed at ensuring the best possible sound experience throughout the vehicle.

Founded in the UK over 40 yearsfe ago, Bowers & Wilkins manufactures an award-winning range of loudspeakers and is world-renowned for its audio innovations, pioneering the use of exotic materials such as Kevlar and diamond in its quest to design the perfect loudspeaker. Bowers & Wilkins systems serve as the 'audio reference' in leading recording studios worldwide, including London's famous Abbey Road.

The arrival into the automotive market demonstrates the conviction held by Bowers & Wilkins that they can offer a product and brand with which end consumers will have a strong affinity. Research conducted by the newly formed Bowers & Wilkins Automotive Division has uncovered emerging trends in consumer behaviour. “Recently, a new market has begun to emerge, representing a move away from an era of standardised premium sound,” says Martin Lindsay, Senior Business Development Manager at Bowers & Wilkins Automotive. “In the same way that the home has increasingly become the place where consumers enjoy audio/video entertainment, the automotive environment has taken on new importance as the place where consumers really enjoy music.”
Lindsay believes that high-quality sound has become as essential in the car as it is in the home. “An increased understanding by consumers of what actually makes a good sound system, driven by greater accessibility in the home to good audio reproduction, seems to be driving the desire for higher standards of in-car reproduction. Consumers we have spoken to are no longer willing to settle for a commodity solution, even if it is described as premium. With an understanding of what our consumers expect in the home, our mission is to deliver that performance in the car.”


Bowers & Wilkins says that it has been interested in in-car audio for some years but finding the right partner was critical before the company entered the market. Rebranding an existing system and not having control of speaker locations, materials and size was

panels, 'Bass Beam' low-frequency driver technology, Kevlar cone midrange speakers, diamond-dome tweeters, selective-directivity arrays in the rear passenger compartment, and a rear deck panel featuring a full complement of bass and wide-dispersion drivers.

The custom 'audio concept' system includes:

• Jewel-like front and rear speaker panels utilizing patented Micro-Matrix material, designed to deliver improved stiffness and damping properties. The material adds strength, avoids vibration and makes a good use of the limited space typically available in the interior of the car
• Bass Beam' low-frequency driver components, mounted in the doors, promoting structural integrity and superior audio imaging. Finding an ideal space for subwoofers in the car has always been problematic. This innovative design makes incorporation within the car's doors possible and provides an optimal implementation for the achievement of forward stereo imaging and concentrated 'up front' bass.
• Incorporation of Kevlar cone drivers in the dashboard and doors, designed to achieve smoother response throughout its frequency range. The end result is that these speakers deliver more fine detail to the listener and eliminate off-axis tonal-balance problems.
• Diamond-dome tweeters combined with award-winning Nautilus technology deliver unmatched high-frequency performance. The elements in the C-XF are taken from Bowers & Wilkins' critically-acclaimed 800 Diamond Series loudspeakers. The tapered Nautilus tube is now replaced by a compact, spiral version which damps unwanted reflections from the rear side of the tweeter element.
• Selective-Directivity arrays under DSP control accurately direct full-range audio, creating improved clarity for back seat passengers while avoiding driver distraction. These components help achieve the goal of soundstage optimization in response to changing passenger entertainment needs. These can be used tocover all listening conditions. For multichannel surround entertainment, these drivers help to deliver a seamless presentation front to rear.