Spy Shots: Next-gen Jaguar XJ... No, really!
by John Neff on May 14th 2009 at 1:30PM 
2010 Jaguar XJ spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW is known for wrapping its prototypes in funkadelic patterns to obscure new design details. And, seeing as the car above is sporting a split-kidney grille, you would think that you're staring at a BMW prototype of some sort. Maybe the next-next-gen 7 Series or something. Well, that's what they want you to think. "They" in this scenario are engineers from Jaguar who have been caught testing the next-generation XJ flagship sedan. They've gussied up their prototype with enough BMW trappings to throw us off the scent, but thankfully our spy photographers recognized this large sedan's true identity. The fake grille up front is meant only to obscure the XJ's new fascia that's heavily inspired by the smaller XF sedan. Aside from the sloping roofline and a bit of the rear end, the real tell-tale tip offs are the cat-slit headlights and outer air intakes in the lower part of the bumper, both of which look very similar to the same elements on the XF. The new XJ is scheduled to go on sale in December, so while we wait for its official debut sometime between now and then, you can compare these new revealing spy shots to the official XJ teasers released by Jaguar in April at the Shanghai Motor Show.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tmoguy 1:38PM (5/14/2009)
plz get the headlights right this time.
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Hike15 1:41PM (5/14/2009)
They better get them right. This is the flagship, they need to spend that extra money to make it look like it deserves be the Jaguar flagship.
Also, very creative camo. I never would have though that was a jaguar.
Quattroporte 2:08PM (5/14/2009)
You can kind of see the outline of the headlights. I'd say they look much more inline with the C-XF's more flowing headlights than that of the production XF's bug-eyed headlights. I'm actually quite excited about it. The whole car, not just the headlights.
I'd still like one of these someday.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaguar_Mk2.JPG
Tmoguy 3:43PM (5/14/2009)
the rest of the car already looks great they need to make sure that they dont put the hyundai headlights on it this time round.
garlinski 1:39PM (5/14/2009)
It looks interesting... but now i have a headache and for some reason no longer crave chocolate... hmmmmm
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waiownsyou 1:40PM (5/14/2009)
THOSE SNEAK MOTHER LICKERS!
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Mike P. 1:52PM (5/14/2009)
I realize that change is inevitable.
But this is sort of an end of an era, isn't it? I will miss the current-generation XJ. It's a big saloon that retains a classy, elegant, understated look, while still communicating the power underneath the bonnet--just like the Jaguars of yore. A timeless look, I think, unlike that "high-tech" chintzy, flashy, quickly-dating look the S-class or 7-series have going on.
I'm just saying, if I were in the market for a large luxury sedan, the current XJ would be it. In Super V8 Portfolio guise, please.
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Serge 2:11PM (5/14/2009)
I agree :)
I wouldn't even think twice about getting an XJ Super8 instead of an S-class or 7series... especially one of the latest models in black or white!
Sadly, Jaguar cannot stay in business pleasing the minority who like old-school elegance over contemporary high-tech design...
The only upside is that I love the XF, it blends classic Jag and modern design masterfully! I hope they do the same with the XJ.
Protzenegger 2:28PM (5/14/2009)
I had the pleasure of driving a Super V8 Portfolio on a couple of occasions, and I'm with both of you guys on your choice of luxury sedan. The feeling you get when you're inside the Jag is beyond anything S-Class and 7-series drivers will ever understand. This is oldschool at its best.
Jei 1:57PM (5/14/2009)
The disguised mule looks slick. I like how they made it look like a large BMW.
I have my doubts, but at least it doesn't look like another rehash of a shared body with Lincoln or Volvo.
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efw 2:07PM (5/14/2009)
▀█╫╒╖┤┌►▼┴▓☻┼┴┌
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Quattroporte 2:12PM (5/14/2009)
Look at that, you can camouflage your comments like BMW its cars!
k.w.a 2:14PM (5/14/2009)
I like how the camo makes the front look like the aftermath of a collision between a 7 series and an S-Class
.. the back looks like an Opel though. lol
Anyway, I can't wait to see what it really looks like! it would be sad to see the regal, classy design go, but hopefully this design will turn over a new leaf for jaguar
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Jason 2:18PM (5/14/2009)
Oh wow, if you let your eyes go crosseyed a bit, you can see a sailboat!
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Alex 2:29PM (5/14/2009)
actaully, its a schooner. ;)
Protzenegger 2:29PM (5/14/2009)
Haha. Those things never worked for me :(
adrenalnjunky 3:04PM (5/14/2009)
Mallrats reference FTW!
Redline 2:23PM (5/14/2009)
Nice job with the camo!
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Kitko 2:34PM (5/14/2009)
Interesting, the car has UK licence plates but is an LHD and drives on the right side of the road so it must have been caught on the Continent.
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BMWdownshift 2:35PM (5/14/2009)
once again BMW is the benchmark.
:breathes heavily on fingers and rubs on shirt:
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