OK, it’s a bit less adrenaline-filled than that fiery Ken Block video, but here’s Jaguar design guru Ian Callum giving a quick preview of the new XJ, due to arrive in July:
Well, we say ‘preview’, but admittedly there’s no more than a cryptic glimpse or two of the XJ itself. The video may be peppered with talk of ‘relevance’ and ‘completeness’, but allow Jaguar a bit of self-indulgence: Callum is a true design legend, and the XJ is a massive car for the British marque.
The new car will be a massive departure from the staid, sensible current XJ. We know it’ll get a full length panoramic roof and an unusually coupe-like profile, along with plenty of design cues from the XF: expect a much sharper front end and tapered headlights with more than a hint of C-XF concept about them.
It’ll retain the all-aluminium frame of the current XJ, though, which should make it the lightest car in its class.
Like the current car, the new XJ will be available in long- and short-wheelbase form, and the lovely new 510bhp 5.0-litre V8 should make an appearance. Even better, Jag has hinted that this won’t be the full-fat XJ-R model – that badge will be saved for an even hotter version. Good.
We’ll find out more about the XJ in the run-up to its summer unveiling. Reckon it’ll take the thoroughly British fight to the new S-Class, 7-Series and A8?
Something more to look out not to bump in to.
Jag needs refreshing. Desperatly. Like the air in 10 years old minicab.
so much for ‘old man’s car’. If my grandad put his foot down in that he’d have a heart attack! And whilst the XJ isn’t a nippy hatchback, it’s not exactly a Hummer H2, so it’ll be properly quick. Even the last XJR only had 400bhp.
Nice. An Ian Callum design that doesn’t look like a DB7 for once.
I can’t wait to try it out.
I’m sorry, but whilst I like a fast car just as much as the next person, don’t you think 510bhp as standard in the notorious ‘old man’s car’ a bit too much? 300bhp, yes. 400 you MIGHT get away with. But 510? That’s more than a Porsche Turbo, and there’s no ‘R’ badge. And let’s face it, it’s not going to handle like a 911 Turbo either.
Of course, if it stays at ‘base-model XJ’ prices then i’ll shut up now and buy one in July.
Ash, the standard engine won’t be the 510 bhp, it will be 5 litres and produce 380 bhp ( or at least that’s what most sources say).
I’m looking forward to the release of the new XJ. Expect sharper looks like the XF and more powerful and economical engines like their 3 litre diesel V6 in the XF.
So this new XJ has been designed around the same concept as the XF, that’s good. Hopefully though there will be more engines to chose from, more equipment onboard and it’ll hopefully do Jaguar proud, like the XF did.
Jaguar are on a roll. The XK started it all off in 2006, and they haven’t made a rotter since. In fact, the only thing left for them to do is kill off the X-Type. Or replace it with, er, an XX? An XE? or XD.
Viva Britannia!
looks like an XF doesn’t (sort of)
Bravo to the Indians…………
Jaguar are going through a design renaissance. These are seriously desirable machines. I’m bored with the serious German cars, I want a car that makes me smile, in and out of the cockpit.
Jaguar has every right to be loud and proud and thank you Mr Tata for instilling confidence in such a marque.
Can we record video in even thinner letter boxing? I’d like to see the aspect ration 20:3. Is that possible? Because it heightens the level of pretentious gibberish, and historic relevance. I’m not impressed by this marketing.
Taking the fight to the S-class? I don’t know… I mean, currently common people know more about Mercedes than Jaguar (except you British folks). I mean some bloke on the street would easily shout “thats a Merc!” while pointing on to an S-class, and in the case of the Jaguar, its not that easy…
I’m not saying the S-class is better (I love the new Jaguars now, I really do…), but the S-class is so well known that taking the fight there would be… a bit harder?
Still, there’s not harm in being optimistic I guess?
yeeehaaaa, if ya can spot the difference between a gmc and a ford pickup there’s hope you’ll be able to tell a jag from a merc.. given that the xj has looked like an xj and nothing else for the past 30 odd years it shouldn’t be beyond anyone with fair sight to be able to tell the difference.. ps if the whole idea is to get ppl turning their heads saying, wow what was that.. ..someone, even as far over as there, will surley be able to tell ‘em :yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaa !!! That’s the new Jag.U.R,.. driving a jag, except the x type wich is a ford.., is usually an event as opposed to the pleasure most mercs including the s has to offer… think solicitor’s chambers as opposed to a hotel lobby
I’ll miss the XJ’s drug dealer looks, something of menace about them.
Simmer down boys.
My bro’s been rubbing his latest ‘gift’ (audi a8) in my face big time. Let’s just say his ‘company’ have a lot to do with it. And he ‘travels’ for work. The 5* hotels of South East Asia have not yet been graced with the new car. Lucky b@****D.
Not to mention my house mate at uni, but while
Bro’s off to Thailand for ‘work’. I’m off to Glasto 09. Guess how I’m getting there? GUESS!?
See below – plentiful, beautiful vehicles, all moving, YESSSS!
http://www.caravanclub.co .uk/
Whoooooop! BRING IT ON
ehem.. potentially perhaps potent Jo.. I don’t think anyone really cares
.. but have fun 
yankeedoodle, I think Jaguars are pretty distinctive too, particularly the newer ones. And technically the XJ is in the same category as the S, it’s just never been as technically good. It’s the fun one of the class, rather than the best built or something.
This new XJ will certainly be distinctive…
I actually miss the jaguar’s little statue in front.. never dug the sticker
I’m glad there’s some positive opinion about this new car – and yes, they will take the fight to Merc and it should be a fun car to drive. Where they got the suspension and handling set-up wrong on the current XJR, they should get it right with this one. The shell of the current XJR weighs the same as a BMW Mini for christ sakes so it should be nimble, if they’re using roughly the same vehicle architecture.
It’s only two days away!!
I cant wait for the new xj. i was a little disappointed with the xf simply because it wasnt the xfc but more i see it walk around it and when lucky, sit in one. More i think its the best looking saloon on the road.
I don’t think jaguars biggest threats are merc or Audi with this car but rather them self’s. To produce a pup now would wreck the astonishing achievements in the xf and xk.
I honestly cannot believe Jaguar. They have changed the shape of an icon into a monster. I do not like the looks of the New XJ, looks more like and XF and there is no way in hell i will purchase it. I am disappointed. very very
IF i WANTED A CAR THAT LOKED LIKE A NEW XJ i WOULD HAVE BOUGHT AN AUDI, WHAT A TERRIBLE LOOKING CAR iAN CALLUM DESIGNER? NO JUST COPIED PARTS FORM A FEW MODERN TRASH OUT THERE, I WILL NOT BE BUYING THIS JAGUAR. STYLING?
THIS IS RUBBISH THE DAH LOKS LIKE A SMART CAR WIHT THOSE STUIPID EYE BALLS, I WANT A CAR THAT IS A REAL CAR NOT THIS TRASH, I SPEND 99% OF MY DRIVING INSIDE THE CAR AND TO HAVE TO SEE THAT DASH BOARD UGH. IT IS NOT A JAG ITS AND AUDI. BMW MINIMALISTIC PIECE OF CRAP. GIVE US A CAR THAT LOOKS LIKE A CAR NOT SOMETHIGN THAT LOKS AS IF YOU HAVE RAIDED AUDI , BMW, SMART CAR PARTS BIN, DESIGN? MY ARSE !!!!
PARDON MY TYPING ERRORS BUT THAT NEW JAG MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL WE AHVE BEEN BETRAYED BY THIS NEW CAR. i AM ABHORRED BY THE XJ REPLACEMENT AND i WONT BE BUYING A JAG IN FUTURE , WILL KEEP MY OLD CLASSIC FOREVER NOW.
Grace, space, and pace, I love this Jaguar.
What will the full-whack XJ-R be like? What monster of an engine will live under it’s bonnet?
The Mercedes-Benz S-class is looking cheaper and
nastier by the second with this car around. But I still like it.
The BMW 7-series also doesn’t look as good as it used to. But once again, I still like it.
The only thing that this Jag hasn’t got the better of is the Audi A8. Well actually it has,
but it hasn’t been affected as much as the other cars. The A8 still looks good, but there is nothing of the car that is better than the mighty Jag.
Another reason why the Jag is better than the German variants is because it’s British and I think that Jags have a lot more credit than the German cars.
I agree with jombely, Jag drivers will sell their XF’s and buy this instead. The XF will fall down the drain.
Overall, it’s a brilliant car and I really want to own the XJ-R. If only they made it a little bit different to the XF. I want it. NOW.
This car is really trendy and beautiful! just no money to buy:(