Jaguar updates the 2009 XJ
There's a new Jaguar XJ coming at some point, but there's not much wrong with the current top cat. The XF likely signals a shift out of the generations-long styling rut the brand has been in with its revered sedan, but it's hard to find fault with an all-aluminum sedan sporting V8 power and serving up old-world cachet. To sweeten the deal, Jaguar has added more standard content to the 2009 XJ, though we still don't get the 2.7-liter diesel that other markets get to enjoy. Settling for the AJ V8 is no chore, and the XJ Super gets the supercharged 4.2-liter engine we know and love from the XJR and others.
Newly designed seats improve leg- and footroom for rear seat passengers, and seat heaters are standard in all models. Soverigns get cooling functionality added to the chairs, as well as 20" wheels, soft grain leather, Jaguar branded sills and the traditional wool rugs in the rear. Navigation is standard in Executive and Soverign trim levels, along with parking radar, and bi-xenon lighting. If these are the last XJs before the model is redone with an all-new look, they may be very well equipped final examples of a classic sedan idiom.
Gallery: 2009 Jaguar XJ
[Source: Jaguar]
For immediate release 3 December 2008
JAGUAR OFFERS EVEN MORE VALUE-FOR-MONEY ON XJ
Jaguar has revised the line-up of the award-winning XJ, offering customers even better value-for-money with a host of additional features now offered at no extra cost.
UK Managing Director, Geoff Cousins, said: "The latest Jaguar XJ already benefits from stronger exterior styling for a more assertive and sporting appearance, significant improvements to the interior, and the latest intuitive in-car technology.
"Recent improvements to the interior include an all-new seat design for improved comfort and support and heated front seats standard across the range while air-cooling is now standard on Sovereign models. The XJ also gained an increase in rear leg and foot room thanks to redesigned front seat backs, allowing easier access to the back seats.
"Within the large premium sector, the updated XJ range offers even more outstanding value-for-money for the luxury customer who seeks refinement and dynamic performance combined with a competitive fuel economy. With two highly acclaimed engines to choose from, the XJ is undoubtedly a smart choice for buyers in today's market."
For the second year running, the XJ 2.7-litre diesel was named Britain's Greenest Luxury Car in the Environmental Transport Association's 2008 Car Buyers Guide. The award recognises Jaguar's commitment to delivering CO2 and fuel consumption advantages to customers, with the development of industry-leading diesel engines and application of advanced lightweight aluminium vehicle architectures.
Renowned for its all-aluminium body construction, the updated XJ line-up offers a choice of two engines for customers – the XJ diesel which offers drivers of luxury saloons the option to choose a car with combined fuel economy of 35.0mpg* and CO2 emissions of only 209g/km** – an improved figure for 2009, or the mighty 4.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol which has been named 'Super V8'.
XJ Executive 2.7-litre Diesel – The Executive is priced at £44,599 and now includes satellite navigation as standard as well as front and rear parking aids, Bi-xenon headlamps with headlamp washers, bright mesh lower grille and side vents and Jaguar tread plates.
XJ Sovereign 2.7-litre Diesel – The Sovereign is priced at £50,472 and features 20" Takoba wheels as standard along with 16/16 soft grain leather heated and cooled seats with embossed front headrests and a leatherette instrument panel and grab handles, plus Jaguar tread plates and front and rear lambs wool rug set.
The Sovereign adds to the Executive specification with DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), metallic paint, power fold mirrors, heated rear seats, premium sound system with six CD changer and Jaguar Voice.
The Sport Premium specification is no longer available in the XJ.
XJ Super V8 4.2-litre Petrol – The Super V8 is priced at £57,760 and features the critically acclaimed 4.2-litre supercharged engine previously found in the XJR and boasts a luxurious interior with chrome side vents and Rich Oak veneer as standard.
Other standard features offered with the Super V8 option include Jaguar's high performance braking system with black painted callipers and a Super V8 badge.
At a Glance
- Contemporary exterior styling for assertive and sporting appearance – including revised front-end design, new side power vents, rear aero spoiler, full width chrome 'signature blade' and new rear bumper introduced in 08.
- XJ range offers either the highly acclaimed 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel and 400bhp (DIN) 4.2-litre supercharged petrol V8.
- XJ diesel offers improved CO2 figure of 209g/km and combined fuel economy of 35.0mpg.
- Satellite navigation, front and rear parking aids, Bi-xenon headlamps with headlamp washers, bright mesh lower grille and side vents – now standard on all models.
- Revised interior with all-new seat design for improved comfort and support. Heated front seats standard across the range with optional air-cooling also available from 08.
- All-aluminium body construction ensures sports-car handling, supreme comfort and significant fuel savings over equivalent steel-bodied cars.
- Every XJ comes with sophisticated safety features such as Computer Active Technology Suspension, Advanced Restraint Technology System, Automatic Speed Limiter and optional Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
- Latest BluetoothTM connectivity allows up to five approved phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system.
Pricing
A choice of two specifications is now available in the XJ diesel – Executive and Sovereign. The long wheelbase version can be ordered for each engine derivative for an extra cost of £1,712.
|
Model |
2.7-litre diesel |
4.2-litre s/c petrol |
|
Executive |
£44,599 |
|
|
Sovereign |
£50,472 |
|
|
Super V8 |
|
£57, 760 |
For more information on the refreshed XJ, please visit www.jaguar.co.uk
* The diesel demonstrated its credentials last year by covering 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel – the average consumption hitting 53.5mpg* which equates to 139g/km of CO2.
**The previous published CO2 figure for the XJ 2.7-litre diesel was 214g/km.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Soccer Mom 9:42AM (12/04/2008)
Great car to compete with Big 3 Germans. In 1998.
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Alex 9:47AM (12/04/2008)
While i definitely agree with the masses that Jaguar needs to move into the 21st century, i still do love that style. I have a '98 XJR and i think it is still an excellent car. That being said, i'm looking forward to seeing whan Ian Callum creates for the next generation XJs.
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Avinash machado 9:48AM (12/04/2008)
I think that the retro styling of the XJ itself, is one of the causes for low sales. If they had a modern style they could likely compete better with the S-Class,7-Series, LS430 etc.
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dea911 11:57PM (12/04/2008)
to be honest I'm not sure if thats the reason why the sales are poor or not
either way, I think it looks great. I have an E46 BMW 3 series, and if i wanted to step up to a flagship car it wouldn't be the new 7! That thing is gross. To me, this Jaguar is much more beautiful, I love the classy shape. I don't like where the design on all these new cars are going
TJ 9:51AM (12/04/2008)
italics tags not turned off.... painful to read....
Am I one of the few remaining fans of the XJ sedan? I love 'em!
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TORONTO 9:54AM (12/04/2008)
+1
Still think it's beautiful car.
TJ 9:56AM (12/04/2008)
whew... glad they fixed the italics....
MemphisNET 10:00AM (12/04/2008)
+1 also love the styling.
jgp 11:35AM (12/04/2008)
Same here. I love the long-and-low look...
Torrent 12:49PM (12/04/2008)
I totally love the XJ. It reminds me of the Arnage- timeless style.
RG 9:54AM (12/04/2008)
I cant wait to see the XF design language influence the next XJ.
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Eddie 10:05AM (12/04/2008)
I hope the new XJ comes back like a bat out of hell. When I think of the current XJ I recall it placing last in nearly every comparison test against the A8, LS, S, 7.
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izaerian 10:12AM (12/04/2008)
Very nice looking car, but I could do without the Range Rover quarter vents.
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nastinupe 6:56PM (12/04/2008)
I love the car, I just think that it needs to be bigger, think RR. The car is too low as it currently stands.
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adamrobertg 10:48AM (12/04/2008)
I love the design, but I think part of the problem is that every Jaguar XJ since the 70's has looked pretty much the same. Maybe people are getting a bit tired of seeing the same face over, and over again.
The car itself is quite competitive, despite being a 5-year-old design. The lightweight body, tech features, and driving characteristics still make it a good sedan. On the used market, they're up there with the VW Phaeton as being excellent values.
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happy_penguin 11:23AM (12/04/2008)
And I hope it never changes. Remember the 80's? The XJ design was one of the worst, when they flattened the hood and lost the classic round headlamps. Under Ford's care, the XJ design was modernized while maintaining classic look and in fact reviving those hood lines and the beautiful round headlamps. I hope Tata pays that same respect. I believe this indicates that they will.
Gorgeous!
jgp 11:33AM (12/04/2008)
The XJ is still the best-looking full-size luxury car on the market.
7-Series? Maybe 10 years ago. S-Class? Not ugly, but no XJ. A8? Close, but no cigar.
Long and low is where it's at.
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notYou 11:41AM (12/04/2008)
I think I'm in the minority here, but that's a beautiful car as-is.
There's no need for a drastic update except for the kiddies that only look at pics because they can't afford one and are "tired" of the current look ("it's old and boring, it should be new and cool - more aggressive!").
(psst - it doesn't need the do-dad behind the front wheel's either. I suppose that's some sort of brake vent? Even if it is functional - and let's presume that a couple of decades of cars prior did ok with normally aspirated braking - lose it. It looks like bling clutter)
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k.w.a 11:57AM (12/04/2008)
Save the bloated over-engineered look for MB, BMW, and the followers.
Stay classy, Jaguar.
The next XJ has a very difficult task. It has to SURPASS the others in appeal just to be relevant in the market, and it has to look significantly more advanced than the last XJ inside and out; while still being elegant, reminiscent of its past, and simpler to drive than its overengineered competitors. that's a lot to ask for in one generation, but if Jaguar wants to prove that its still a company to be taken seriously, they have to do it.
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LDMAN 12:22PM (12/04/2008)
I had two XJ. A 308 old style and a 350 new style.
The 350 is lightyears ahead of the 308 but, I agree, looks too much like the old one. This killed its sales. What I miss the most on the new car is that Jag have moved the fuel trap door to the side of the car, whereas on the old one is was located on top, next to the trunk
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