The best picture yet of the new Jaguar XJ - due to be revealed in July
We’ve been bringing stories on the next generation Jaguar XJ for a while now. But we’ve just received what seems to be the best picture – and shows just how much inspiration the XJ has taken from its little brother, the Jaguar XF.
Due to be shown officially in July, before a full presentation at Frankfurt in September, the new Jaguar XJ is designed to take the fight to BMW, Audi and Mercedes. And if how it looks is anything to go by Jaguar will have another big success on its hands, to go along with the XF.
Although based on the existing XJ’s lightweight chassis (nothing wrong with that) but with a back end which is very much derived from the XF, the car is totally re-skinned, and looks finally how a modern Jaguar luxury saloon should.
The engine choice for the new XJ will start with the very good 3.0 litre twin-turbo that was recently launched in the XF (and will be used in the new Land Rovers), the new 5.0 litre V8 in naturally aspirated form and a barn-storming (and big-German eating) XJR, which will feature the Supercharged version of the 5.0 litre V8, offering over 500bhp and a 0-60 time of around 4.7 seconds.
The interior will feature oodles of high-quality wood and leather, but will also feature a whole raft of high-tech goodies.
It’s hard to believe that the XF is just one generation removed from the S. But it is even more astonishing that this very much 21st century XJ is just one away from the previous generation XJ which was, to all intents and purposes (or at least perceived as by a car buying public), a slightly refined version of the original XJ from 1968. The retro-evolution in car design has worked for the Porsche 911 over the years, but it was always Jaguar’s biggest problems. This new car will put Jaguar back at the top of the heap.
Jack Gavalas says
As for hopes of bigger sales, I imagine we’ll see how that goes; yes, in the end, the marketplace will vote with cash. There might very well be that “whew, now I can own a Jag without standing out” effect on the part of the timid. Or there might be an “oh, well, it’s much more distinctive now to own a Mercedes, isn’t it?” effect on the part of those who stand for panache — instead of pancake. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how the outcome is rationalized in the auto press.
Jack Gavalas says
Wow, was I wrong. I just got a load of the new XJ in the flesh, and you can mark me down as one of The Converted. As I was driving out of my office parking lot, I spotted it, the new stretch model, same dark silver-gray metallic color as my ’05 Vanden Plas. I pulled up next to it to get a side-by-side comparison. Oh . . . Mama . . . I needed a drool cup, and a cane to keep my knees from buckling. Brutal but luscious; over-the-top but subtle; massive but delicate; voluptuous but athletic; rakish but dignified; crazy but remarkably composed. A Jaguar’s Jaguar. I am reborn in the brand. The mark is in the hands of a genius. Long live Ian Callum!
Alister La Frenais says
DG, may I have some of what you are drinking or smoking so that I can also see the new Jaguar through a haze. It is folk like you that are ruining individuality. The new Jaguar is just a clone of what is already available and thus becomes just one of the crowd, instead of being a super star.
DG says
Well I disagree with all of you… I think the new XJ looks great – even if it is Beamer/Benz inspired. I am a big fan of the 2008 XJ because that sleek look is something that is not seen on the road anymore but the new XJ body is nice – even though it looks a bit like the XF…
Bottom line is that Jag needs bigger sales. Have to adapt to what the public wants – not what the fan boys want… It is a sad but true fact…
Alister La Frenais says
Just looked at a picture of the new version of the Jaguar XJ. Boy, who are the morons that decided to change the distinctive look of the Jaguar Brand into bcoming one of the crowd. I am very disappointed and will not even consider having one even if offered to me for the price of a Lada. Shame on you for ruining the Jaguar.
PeterHeater says
I test drove the XF diesel and it didn’t seem at all like a BMW. It seemed to me like a cross between a Lexus and a Jaguar of old. But it is credible and that is something Jaguar has lost. But it still feels Jaguar. The old XJ was just that – old. I really hope the nw XJ lives up to the hype because if it does it will hurt the Germans for the first time in 30 years
Jack Gavalas says
Oh, the humanity! If I’d wanted a Beemer or an Audi, I’d have bought one. Does the Jaguar really need to become a herd animal to survive, just going along with everybody else? Has the sad current weltliche Zeitgeist beaten Mr. Callum down to the level of the sad, predictable Used Bar of Soap? So, now my choices are a smaller Beemer clone (the XF) or a larger Beemer clone (the XJ)? Oh, well, let’s see if my brand loyalty can withstand THIS onslaught against Jaguariness Puritanism. Good luck to me and all the Faithful . . .
ladder49 says
Ford focus, anyone?