Spy Shots: the next Jaguar XJ
by Noah Joseph on Jan 23rd 2008 at 10:55AM 
If you thought the new Jaguar XF was a radical departure, hold on to your cap, because if reports coming in are to be believed, the replacement for the flagship XJ sedan could be even more revolutionary for the traditionally staid British luxury marque.
Granted, you can't tell much from these spy shots. They were snapped while a mechanical prototype was undergoing testing in the Arctic Circle, and it's clad in the bodywork of the current model. However, based on Jaguar designer Ian Callum's reported fascination with the svelte form of the Mercedes CLS, insiders suggest the next XJ will be wider and lower and take on the four-door coupe approach. Code-named X351, the next XJ will continue with its all aluminum construction and could be unveiled in the spring of 2011...that is, assuming Jaguar's new owners don't decide to go another way.
[Source: World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mondo 11:09AM (1/23/2008)
I'm definitely rooting for Jag to come through on their flagship. I think Jag is a good alternative to the teutonic dominance of the luxury car market (yes, I'm ignoring Lexus because "special" people drive Lexus). Quirky cool British cars should be an option for folks.
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Terry 12:22PM (1/23/2008)
I'm pulling for Jag, too. Not many other car makers can brag about having such a rich history like Jaguar. I really hope the new XJ encompasses all of Jaguar's best attributes, from it's racing heritage and luxurious cabins, to it's stunning lines and curves. Jags have always been known around the car world as producing some of the most beautiful vehicles on the road.
Gooch 11:56AM (1/23/2008)
I think the XF will be stunning when we finally see it on the road, and so will the next XJ. In fact, I'm betting the next XJ goes a bit beyond the XF -- perhaps we'll see a better interpretation of the XF Concept's headlights on the senior sedan?
There's no way Jaguar should be allowed to languish and die.
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Tool 12:25PM (1/23/2008)
The four-door coupe approach might be the way to go with the new XJ. Whatever they do, the next XJ needs to really go for it--a dose of traditional Jaguar lines, clean minimalist interiors and aggressive performance.
The current XJ has been a major disappointment; while it has improved each year, it still is too plain, too ordinary, too Ford-like.
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Xcountryflyer 12:55PM (1/23/2008)
Hopefully this storied marquee finds its way back to success. Ford certainly mismanaged the marquee until it sold it.
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RLQ 2:40AM (1/24/2008)
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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jagman 6:33PM (1/27/2008)
How to save Jaguar:
Get rid of Callum, Get rid of Callum, Get rid of Callum
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Paul Read 10:08PM (1/27/2008)
You trippin'?
Geoff Lawson's designs may ne elegant and olde worlde Jag, but they stopped selling. Without Callum, Jag buyers would all die of old age and the company with them.
ronnie schreiber 4:35PM (1/29/2008)
There is no question that the XJ has been one of the most beautiful sedans ever made. I'm particularly partial to the Series III version by Sergio Pininfarina but the traditional styling of the current XJ undoubtedly hurt it in the marketplace. I'm an XJ fan and I had to see the back end of the car to tell it from the previous generation.
The new XJ must instantly look like the new XJ. Enough traditional XJ design cues (the haunches, the faired in quad headlamps - I think it's a mistake to not have nacelles on both lamps of the XF, maybe elements of the XJ grille) but in a modern package. I'm not a big fan of J. Mays, but the New Beetle and current Mustang are outstanding examples of what I'm talking about.
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adrian 6:17PM (2/02/2008)
What I want to see is a new, modern looking, rear wheel drive X Type, to take on the BMW 3 Series. They have to show the Germans that they are prepared to fight in this sector, despite the design mistake of the first generation X Type. You don't give up at the first hurdle.
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ronnie schreiber 1:27PM (2/14/2008)
No doubt Callum kinda punted it on the lights on the XF. On the concept, there is one continuous curve over the lamp unit and into the fender and it looks much better than on the production car. On the prod car they tried too much to evoke the faired in headlamps on XJs. I'm a Jaguar traditionalist but in this case they should have gone with the less traditional look.
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