With the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class getting mixed reviews on their quirky styling, the Jaguar XJ sedan remains one of the most elegant luxury sedans on the market. Not to rest on its laurels, though, Jaguar is apparently preparing a mild face-lift of its range-topping sedan.
The subtle update appears to be purely cosmetic. From the spy shots we can see that most of the bodywork will carry over unchanged, with just a few tweaks at the front, back and on the side of the front fenders. Ironically, with the body-cladding, the XJ looks more like a BMW up front, where the revised version will get what appears to be a new airdam and possibly an evolved grille and/or headlights. Around back the big cat is treated to a new rear bumper. And the test mule appears to be wearing side-vents like those on the top-of-the-line Portfolio trim level, which could indicate that the air vents will trickle down through the full model range.
Jaguar's still got a long way to go before it can pose a serious challenge to the big German marques, but that won't stop it from trying.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DonLoki @ Dec 6th 2006 2:05PM
*snore* looks like a jaguar when the only think you have to hide is the bumper, then it is not worth hiding. I think it is time to put the Jaguar down, that part of the zoo is closed.
Michael Karesh @ Dec 6th 2006 2:31PM
The new XJ's styling, both inside and outside, lacks a good bit of the artfulness that distinguished the previous one. Just compare the armrests of the doors. Car got fat and a bit bland, even as it lost weight with the innovative aluminum body.
My review back in 2003:
http://www.epinions.com/content_107925048964
Tool @ Dec 6th 2006 4:08PM
I agree with you Michael.
This is supposed to be Jaguar's top sedan? It is very bland, very Ford-like and certainly not in league with its competition, the S-class, 7-series and LS (Lexus).
I think the c-pillar is particularly weak, and that probably can't be fixed in this generation.
Aki @ Dec 6th 2006 4:39PM
In typical Ford fashion, they endlessly "update" the styling--when it needs a total overhaul.
It's far too derivative of the Mark 1 styling. Don't get me wrong, the Mark 1 (Series III) XJ6 style is one of the most beautiful styles from Pininfarina. But it needs to move ahead and get more aggressive sheetmetal.
The problem is, Jaguar isn't supposed to be just about luxury--it's supposed to be about aggressive styling that still maintains a timeless, classic look. Ford has stripped all of the aggressive contours out of the car, and have turned it into a glorified Lincoln town car. This refresh is almost identical to the Super V8 Portfolio shots that Ford has already released. This pathetic touchup won't do anything to turn around Jag sales.
Their crap philosophy impacts not only Jaguar, but has been the cause of the demise of countless cars: Focus, Taurus, and recently Windstar. Most incompetent company that still hasn't let reality slap itself in the face.
Tommy @ Dec 6th 2006 4:46PM
to me it looks like another care of the "Blue devil" :)
Nellydesign @ Dec 6th 2006 6:26PM
Do you people not realize that regular old FORD people in Dearborn do not make the decisions on how these cars look? Jaguar is OWNED by Ford not DEMONICALLY CONTROLLED by Ford. Jaguar is run by Jaguar people and Ford does very little tinkering in the process. It's not like they're sending a bunch of backwater Dearbornites across the pond to ruin all things Jaguar. Jaguars are designed by Brits in Great Britain, so if you don't like the car, blame them, not Ford. Shut yer gobs and go have some fish and chips.
And in my opinion I think the current XJ is the best one yet. Its still sleek and sexy but far more athletic now. It hearkens back to the XJ's from the 80's WAY more then the last one did. The last one looked dumpy. The 80's versions looked lithe and smooth, just like this one.
Eriq @ Dec 6th 2006 7:59PM
That's terrible! This is their top level auto? Wow.
Pouya @ Dec 6th 2006 9:04PM
Being part of project team for designing the Jaguar XJ must be the easiest and least rewarding job in the world. I understand Jaguar thinks the XJ is a classic shape (more like "dated" shape) that their conservative loyal customers appreciate and want, but this is ridiculous. The average non-car nut wouldn't guess that this car was 18 years newer than the Jaguar XJ6 (X300: 1995–1997)and it looks too close to the Jaguar XJ Series II (1973–1979), a model 35 years older than this one. It is a really a shame, since the XJ has a nice aluminium monocoque/chassis and are available in a not too shabby 400Bhp 4.2L supercharged V8. I just can't justify buying this over its much more modern competitors like the Mercedes S, BMW 7, Audi A8, and Lexus LS (I'd probably consider it over the Infiniti Q45 and an Acura RL). Not to mention a host of other "luxury" cars not in its class, but in its ~$60,000+ price-range (e.g, Audi RS 4, BMW 6-Series, Mercedes CLS).
BOB @ Dec 6th 2006 11:51PM
That 2008 is just a slight freshening before they try to correct their huge error, which has almost put them under.
HISTORY AGAIN, GUYS -- the original XJ was a replacement for the smaller Jag (I remember not being able to sit in the back seat at the Auto Show in 1968) and was made longer a few years later.
What they stupidly did on the current XJ was:
1- make a larger car like the MarkX/420G that was above the first XJ and NEVER sold worth a pin in the US. Probably they were tired of hearing their car called uncompetitive in interior room.
2- ignore that Buick, Chrysler, Lincoln, and others had already produced larger versions of the old XJ styling, perhaps blindly thinking that a tired Jag copy with a Jag label would be valid.
2- also ignore that A JAGUAR IS A SLEEK, LITHE, CATLIKE CAR -- at least the ones which sell are.
I do not blame Jaguar but Ford bean counters. All FOMOCO lines in the early 2000s were bland, supposedly safe rehashes, which is why the company is on its Axx now. I am sure Jaguar was ordered to break no new ground.
There was also talk that the new aluminum bodies were restricted in styling by production technique limitations.
axium @ Dec 7th 2006 12:20PM
I like it. The Portfolio styling on a standard XJ is a welcome change. I also noticed that they integrated turn into the side mirrors, I like how it looks.
Thoes complaining about the lacking powertrain and drive dynamics have never driven the car on any substantial basis.
Aki @ Dec 7th 2006 1:00PM
"Jaguars are designed by Brits in Great Britain, so if you don't like the car, blame them, not Ford. Shut yer gobs and go have some fish and chips."
What platform is it on? The Lincoln LS platform. And some interior parts were shared with Ford cars, so yes Ford DOES impact its design.
"And in my opinion I think the current XJ is the best one yet. "
Fortunately, most people disagree, and the sales prove it.
Paul Read @ Dec 8th 2006 5:08AM
The S-Type is on the DEW98 platform, shared with the LS and Mustang. The XJ is on a new aluminium platform it shares only with the XK.
DC_1 @ Dec 11th 2006 4:46PM
Yawn!!!
Bill Daly @ Dec 29th 2006 12:43AM
I have a 2002 XJR and love it. The car does everything right. It is, however, time for a modern redesign. Make it a little longer, a little wider, reduce the overhang on both ends and give it a body that would give a man a woodie like the XKE did. I'll be first in line.
javier sanchez @ Feb 13th 2007 1:45PM
Anyone who has truly driven the big three Mercedes
BMW and Lexus will tell you that the JAG outdoes them all. It has the best overall performance and is the classiest.
Try them all out and you will agree. Not to mention it is by far the best value for the money
javier sanchez @ Feb 13th 2007 3:12PM
Anyone who has truly driven the big three Mercedes
BMW and Lexus will tell you that the JAG outdoes them all. It has the best overall performance and is the classiest.
Try them all out and you will agree. Not to mention it is by far the best value for the money