Jaguar: Next XJ "closer to Bentley than BMW"
Click above for more shots of the 2009 Jaguar XJ Portfolio
The current-generation of the Jaguar XJ sedan is a perfectly capable car, if a bit boring on the eyes. Jaguar's design language had always been daring and beautiful, but until the current XF appeared, had lately been stuck in a rut and seemed to be producing endless copies of itself. No longer, as the brand, now under new Indian management, looks to move its flagship XJ upmarket to take on the likes of Bentley according to David Blackhall, the managing director of Jaguar Land Rover in Australia. If the XF is akin to a BMW in Jag's current line, the next XJ will distance itself as it moves up to cater to the fickle and always fashion-conscious upper crust. Considering how much we like the new direction Jaguar is heading with the XF, we look forward to seeing what the company is capable of with its range-topper, which should debut in the next 12-18 months. So, will it wear a Daimler badge?
[Source: GoAuto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Soccer Mom 4:53PM (9/26/2008)
Jag, unfortunately, will be closer to bankruptcy, not Bentley.
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TJ 5:13PM (9/26/2008)
Um... Jag is not an independent company. Jaguar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, who appears to be doing quite well overall. Jaguar cannot file for BK.
Spiel 8:09AM (9/29/2008)
Yes, with Tata's revenue of $9 billion dollars, Jaguar will bankrupt.
You're my hero because just by walking next to you, I look 100% smarter. Dumbass!
Soccer Mom 8:32AM (9/29/2008)
Sorry, I usually don't respond to posting such as yours, but I could not help in this case.
9 billion in annual revenues - that is a significant number. About as much as Ford, the previous owner, makes every 3 weeks. Also, 9 billion is the amount required to design and launch what, 2 new car models?
So if you want to be rude and challenge someone be smart. Getting 100% smarter just by walking next to someone doesn't give you a very high score, even after 100% improvement that you had just gone through.
Kumail 4:58PM (9/26/2008)
if they do exactly what they did for the xf, and make it look different, they won.
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SPG 5:11PM (9/26/2008)
I'm not suprised to hear this at all actually.
I'd always thought of Jaguar as an "old luxury" beauty of impeccible class in the leagues of Bentley.
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wonkydonkydotnet 5:34PM (9/26/2008)
Wow. If you could mix XJ with Continental GT that would be sweet.
If Callum designs it, I'm sure it will be outstanding.
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TJ BItes 5:46PM (9/26/2008)
I am not sure if TJ is a nationlist of Tata's homeland or not, but Tata has major problems. Take a look at how well they plan where their plants should be built, a man was killed due to this.
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Mayur 9:05PM (9/26/2008)
When there are over a billion people in an area that is 1/3rd of the U.S., somebody is going to get hurt.
U.S. has a population density of 80 people per square mile where as India has a density of 850 people per square mile.
Mi key 8:29PM (9/26/2008)
Jaguar should try to establish itself as an alternative to the MB S-class or BMW 7-series before going after Bentley.
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Aaron Stein 10:32PM (9/26/2008)
if that is a picture of the new jag, all i can say is that adding front ground effects with a grille in the middle is NOT taking it upscale or making it beautiful...
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Terry 12:34AM (9/27/2008)
That's actually the current XJ body style. As the article said, the upcoming replacement is not due for another year or two. It will most likely be a total departure from this body style, and will follow the lines of the XF.
Aaron Stein 8:08AM (9/27/2008)
ah, thanks. i thought it looked too familiar but i didn't check it first. the new xf is certainly beautiful. i don't actually have to worry much about it, even the xf is more than i will spend on a car. i could afford one, but then i would get upset every time someone put another parking lot ding in it.