VIDEO: Ian Callum talks about the 2010 Jaguar XJ
2010 Jaguar XJ: Click above to view the video after the jump
The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but the Jaguar XJ's historically derivative design left luxury customers less than impressed – if indeed they recognized it as a new model. Chief Jaguar designer Ian Callum, who hit the ball right out of the park when he designed the award winning XF, now has an opportunity to make things right with the flagship XJ. We've already seen spy photos of the XJ's interior and exterior, and everything so far points to the Jag's flagship model taking plenty of cues from the smaller, less expensive XF; not that that's a bad thing.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ is one of the most eagerly anticipated unveilings this year, but since it won't go public until July 9, you'll have to wait until we can gather some more information. After the jump is a short video of Callum discussing his coup de gras; the new XJ. We only caught two very brief, very muddled shots of the next generation of Jaguar's "Gorgeous" design philosophy, but it's still worth a look.
[Source: Jaguar via YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yosh 7:29PM (6/02/2009)
would be nice if we, uh, got to see a new pic
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Rich 7:35PM (6/02/2009)
Twit. "coup de gras" -> "coup de grace".
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xtasi 7:48PM (6/02/2009)
Ian Callum has designed some sexy cars... though, they are all starting to blend together. I would still get the XF supercharged, if I had the scratch.
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notYou 7:18AM (6/03/2009)
@xtasi: "Ian Callum has designed some sexy cars"
While at Aston, it appears the sexiest bits made it from design to production - possibly because bean counting wasn't their first priority
Unfortunately at Jag, his sexiest bits were left somewhere on the cutting room floor.
1. Design XF, Hot: http://tevami.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/jaguar_2007_xf.jpg
2. "Production Ready" version, still Hot: http://www.motorauthority.com/preview-production-ready-jaguar-xf.html
Here comes the switcheroo!
3. Production XF, Not: http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/?p=4286
Kudos to Jag for getting the rear 2/3rds of the car right. But, ugh...that face.
waiownsyou 8:17PM (6/02/2009)
Looks like the D-pillar is blacked out. Only okay looking thing that should have that is a Tahoe and its rebadged homies.
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dwightB 8:40PM (6/02/2009)
Well, allow me to chime in.
1 - That's the C-Pillar, not the D. Yea, there's a structural element where the rear doot cut is, but that doesn't count as a pillar. This isn't a station wagon we're looking at here.
2 - Are you seriously giving a "design review" from an overhead shot of a vehicle that's only partially lit from the sides?!
3 - Who the hell are you to make the "rules" on what can and can't be done to a car's exterior? lol
Man 8:35PM (6/02/2009)
If by design "with a capital D" you mean Lexus, you nailed Ian. Great job on turning the XJ into every other car on the road. If I were to fly over the car in a helicopter I might be impressed. But if I have a helicopter for a daily commuter why would I want a Jag?
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dwightB 8:41PM (6/02/2009)
Wow, what?!
See point number TWO of my last comment...
Man 9:09PM (6/02/2009)
@DB You are quite right. One cannot give a "design review" from a over head shot alone. http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2010+jaguar+xj/ Again, one might say that the viewer cannot attain aesthetic representation from these shots. But put the two posts together you get a BMLEX-ISXF.
For me, a designer shouldn't change the headlights curves of the Jag. They are what made a Jag into ICON. This iteration has taken away both. Look at the higher end market in which Jag is trying to enter. What do they all have in common? Distinctive Curves. Search Autoblog if you have to, but hopefully you are an avid reader and automobile aficionado who knows these cars and their heritage by heart.
axium 11:13PM (6/02/2009)
Then it's a good thing that people like you are purged from Jaguar. Icons belong in a museum. Change is good.
Man 12:08AM (6/03/2009)
@axium Don't get me wrong. I love the way a Lexus IS-F looks. But change isn't always good. As one commenter shared her/his thoughts about the RR 200EX.
"I hate it. Don't get me wrong, the car looks fantastic. A very sleek and beautiful design, but it doesnt scream Rolls. ... It just feels like a very luxurious saloon without any distinguishing features."
Flip Flopping is great. Summer is here!
Protzenegger 12:14AM (6/03/2009)
I prefer to click "Report" on your post instead.
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Autoworld 12:41AM (6/03/2009)
......lol
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