A Jaguar spokesman has declined to comment on speculation that a Jaguar SUV concept could be displayed at this year's Frankfurt motor show, ahead of a possible 2016 production date.

The reports, which emerged in the United States, suggest that the concept will be shown in order to guarantee the British car manufacturer significant headlines ahead of its heavy sales push over the next three years, off the back of the recent Jaguar F-type launch. It would also serve to highlight the technical capabilities of the latest aluminium PLA platform that will underpin a new family of Jaguar cars.

However, the spokesman said: "We don't talk about what the company is doing down the line. We have nothing to say on these rumours."

The Jaguar F-type was always described by company bosses as the car that would legitimise future projects that stretched beyond the traditional markets for the firm. It is already known that a BMW 3-series rival is in the advanced stages of development, ahead of a potential on-sale date in around 18 months. The SUV project is more controversial within Jaguar's traditional markets, however, which is said to be another reason why Jaguar is keen to introduce the concept as early as possible.

The SUV is tipped to be called either Jaguar Q-type or Jaguar XQ, both of which have been trademarked by the firm.