Rumormill: Jaguar XJ details leak out
One of the chief criticisms leveled at the the Jaguar XJ after the sedan's last redesign was that it looked too much like the XJ of 1968... only without the sleekness. From a technical standpoint, Jaguar had done an admirable job of making the car both roomier and lighter thanks to a new aluminum structure, but the retro style was so similar to the outgoing model that it looked like a brand-new old car.Fast-forward to July 2009, where Jaguar – now owned by India's Tata instead of Ford – will be bringing forth a new full-size sedan. Judging by both spy shots and the rumormill, the current car's retro looks will be dropped and the exterior will takes cues from the XF. The more upright greenhouse of today's XJ will be discarded in favor of a fastback roof-line, and power is expected to come from the new direct-injected 5.0-liter Gen-3 AJ-V8.
If reports are correct, the car's aluminum structure will be retained, albeit heavily re-worked with a rear suspension adapted from the XK coupe. Inside, the faddish rotary gear selector from the XF will be brought in, along with a thoroughly revised interior. In spite of its size, the new XJ is expected to weigh under 3,700 pounds, which should pair up very nicely with the 503-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter in the new XJR.
[Source: AutoCar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Edmond Dantes 5:03PM (3/18/2009)
I'm really looking forward to this. I won't be able to afford it, but it'll be cool to see.
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superman211 11:20PM (3/18/2009)
Possibly. Never count out the possibility of buying cars for loves of bread from starving people.
You will see.
Juan 5:06PM (3/18/2009)
Glad to see the XJ getting a new redesign. Though I must admit that I still think the current XJ is the classiest full-size luxury sedan you can buy. Its instantly recognizable as a Jaguar and it just screams executive class (especially in black).
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MJL 5:13PM (3/18/2009)
Sounds great, but I'm hoping it won't look TOO much like the XF. The XF is SO beautiful (to me at least) that I would hate to see it duplicated or enlarged. Hope lightning can strike the Jaguar design studio twice.
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Aki 5:14PM (3/18/2009)
Hopefully it'll look a lot like the XF concept--and not the cruddy XF production model with its monocled headlights
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BoxerFanatic 5:22PM (3/18/2009)
+1000
The XF let down the C-XF by having the headlights go from cat-like to buick-like. They aren't even blackened for the XF-R
The rendering for the XJ has the cat-like headlights, and this time I hope they KEEP it.
And for an automatic or automated transmission (anything without a direct H-gate), a retractable rotary control is actually pretty cool.
I kinda wish the production knob didn't rise up, but had concentric beveled rings that sunk down around the knob, like the Genesis Device from "STII-Wrath of Kahn," as the C-XF did.
alexander 5:23PM (3/18/2009)
oh no, not the korean design again. Is fugly. Where is the classy design of the xj, s-type etc?
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F-22 5:31PM (3/18/2009)
Resting in peace somewhere...
Mike P. 5:25PM (3/18/2009)
I like the current XJ. A lot. It's timeless... none of the over-styled exteriors and interiors coming from Mercedes and BMW.
Though, I would be interested in seeing it with an XF-esque redesign... I just hope it doesn't blend into the mass of European large luxury sedans. The current XJ has an air of classiness, history, and elegance to it that the S-class, 7-series, and A8 just don't have.
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652059 5:35PM (3/18/2009)
I have a Lucas-era '86 XJ6 sitting in storage. My grandfather bought it. The old Series I/II/III XJ6 cars (pre-89) are absolutely timeless. The current car is dated, but I'm not sold on this new style either. Take the classic Jag look and modernize it some way, but these renders look far too generic to be a Jag. I like the new XF and the XK coupe, but the XJ needs to really scream JAGUAR (in a thick British accent, obviously)
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Aki 5:53PM (3/18/2009)
My dad has the Series III XJ6, and to me it's one of the most beautiful sedans ever made (last year was '87 btw =P)
That said, the current XJ is ugly, because it stripped all the attitude out of the series III design while keeping its general shapes. The headlight is less aggressive, grill is pedastrian, contours very dull. It's a toned down XJ6, and from an aesthetic perspective there's nothing about it that's better than the XJ from the 70s-80s.
Alex 5:56PM (3/18/2009)
Couldn't agree more. When you see a XJ run down the street you immediately know what it is. I do love the look of the XK and the XF, but they are the more sporting cars. I want to see the XJ keep the power executive look. There are certainly elements of the XK and XF that can and should be brought into the XJ, but at the same time i would hate for them to completely ignore the heritage for the sake of modern design. That being said i also don't want to see just another homage to the good old days.
to sum it up, i'm conflicted. In the end, i absolutely love the work of Ian Callum and i trust him 100% to develop the next great XJ that will undoubtedly become a classic and immediately recognizable Jaguar.
naggs 7:39PM (3/18/2009)
my dad has a beautiful dark green '85
to this day, no car i have ever ridden in, rides as well as that car
15" wheels will do that for ya
LimeDaiquiri 6:56PM (3/18/2009)
I hope the new xj has the aggressive profile such as the xf concept...
http://www.thelightisgreen.com/jaguar%20xf.jpg
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Noah 7:35PM (3/18/2009)
3700 lb XJ? I'll believe it when I see it.
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Jose 7:09PM (3/19/2009)
Current XJ weighs 3770 lbs. before options.
Noah 8:41PM (3/19/2009)
Ok, I believe it. However, the next generation always seems to grow in weight. Hopefully they can limit it to no more than 100lbs. Combine that with the new 5.0, and all will be well.
P.V. 7:44PM (3/18/2009)
It looks like an interesting redesign, but if you think about it, styling in the full-size luxury segment isn't as bold as styling in the mid-size luxury segment, so maybe Jaguar should modernize the 2nd-generation design theme which is so catlike...
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JDMlover 7:55PM (3/18/2009)
Nice.
But im really looking forward to the next Lexus LS.....
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Serge 12:40PM (3/19/2009)
Good for you... I hope you drive Toyotas for the rest of your life.