X351 Jaguar XJ sports a whole new look!
Here’s a mega bonanza of multimedia goodies about the all-new Jaguar XJ, a car that Jaguar has been really shouting alot about. It really is a big deal, it’s the first departure from classic XJ looks in a really really long time.
The new XJ follows the new design language set by the XF but adds some quirky elements that you’d normally only expect from Citroen to it, such as the weird black-out polycarbonate C-pillars designed to make the rear windscreen look wider. What exactly is the point I don’t know, perhaps it’s a new way of making the rear end of a large car look sleeker – Callum pillar (like the Bangle butt) anyone?
Drag coefficient is the same as the XF – 0.29! The aluminium chassis of the new XJ is largely based on the previous X350 but updated with new bits wherever Jaguar saw fit. Long the outgoing XJ and most cars in this segment there will be both a long wheelbase and short wheelbase version. Four engines will be offered with the new XJ. The sole diesel version is the new 3.0 liter AJ-V6D engine with twin sequential turbochargers, putting out 275 PS and taking the XJ from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds, while consuming only 40.1mpg.
The top of the line petrol version is the supercharged 510PS 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III, followed by 470PS supercharged and 385PS naturally aspirated petrol V8s depending on market. Read more about the Gen III AJ-V8 (AJ133).
Okay let’s just forget about all of that and go inside the car. This is where an XJ’s owner will be spending most of his time. And damn it’s a gorgeous place to be in! It combines retro styling cues with futuristic elements and very good use of wood like only a Jaguar could. The wraparound wood that sweeps across the whole interior is said to be inspired by a luxury boat.
The main LCD of the in-car entertainment system has a dual view mode which means the driver and passenger sees two different things because they are looking at it from different angles. This means the driver can have something else on the screen while the front passenger watches a movie. The other thing is the instrumentation panel right in front of the driver – it’s a pure computer screen which displays some really gorgeous animated virtual gauges instead of physical dials.
Imagine cruising in the new XJ during magic hour – the last hour of sunlight during the day. The sun is still lightly illuminating most of the interior but there’s enough darkness for Jaguar’s lovely mash-up of interior ambient lighting to glow.
That’s really the best time to feast your eyes and soak up the new XJ’s interior aesthetics and lighting. You simply can’t get that in a 7 or an S.
Look after the jump for a massive hi-res photo gallery and a couple of videos of the XJ. You really have to watch the videos as they tell you more about the XJ especially that amazing interior with the Virtual Instrument dials than text ever could.
VIDEO: Jaguar XJ – Exterior Footage
VIDEO: Jaguar XJ – Interior Footage
VIDEO: Jaguar XJ – Technology
VIDEO: Jaguar XJ – Tracking Footage
VIDEO: Jay Leno talks about the new Jaguar XJ
VIDEO: Ian Callum on the new XJ
VIDEO: Mick Mohan (programme director) on the new XJ
VIDEO: Mike O’Driscoll (managing director) on the new XJ
July 14, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Beautiful car. In fact all Jaguar cars (even the ones with the so called outdated design) look beautiful to me. It’s just that they are rare sightings in Malaysia. Why won’t those rich people buy one of those so that I can savor the great cars, even though from afar? (Frankly speaking this is out my reach given my salary. To bad)
July 14, 2009 @ 1:11 am
This is a lovely car. the fron…It kinds of echoes the original Jaguar XF concept.
July 14, 2009 @ 1:30 am
Wow.Jaguar.Majestic. Modern classic car.
July 14, 2009 @ 2:07 am
the wheel base is too short
making the butt look very very long
July 14, 2009 @ 2:31 am
Suddenly the beemers and the benz look like ordinary cars.
this baby is like a concept car!
i got SO turned on the moment the dashboard visual fires up.
ohh yeaaaaa!
July 14, 2009 @ 3:14 am
the rear reminds me of which car? looks familiar….
July 14, 2009 @ 3:31 am
The wheel base is okay . The rear even look slightly like the Panamera ( the shape looking ) . Interior is superior . DRL is looking cool .
Just the front grill . I felt that it is too large when proportionate with the size of front lamp . Looks awkard a bit but still does the job .
If I have 5 figures salary monthly , this will be ultimate choice of my car .
July 14, 2009 @ 3:50 am
Paul, where are you getting your information from? Because it is wrong.
Jaguar have announced that the following engines will be available for the new XJ:
3.0 litre Diesel (275PS)
5.0 V8 Naturally aspirated petrol (385PS)
5.0 V8 Supercharged petrol (470PS)
5.0 V8 Supercharged petrol (510PS)
July 14, 2009 @ 4:55 am
“The petrol options include choices of a 3.0 liter V6 with 238 PS and 216Nm…”
Paul, is that a typo error on the torque rate?
July 14, 2009 @ 6:42 am
The blacked out C-pillar has to go…but then it’ll look like a hatchback…they’ve got everything else perfect though…why Jaguar why? Why do you have to ruin the rear end?
July 14, 2009 @ 7:15 am
definitely better looking than 7 series and the s class..nice job jaguar..
July 14, 2009 @ 7:19 am
yes the front grill is big but it looks better than the 7 series grill…
July 14, 2009 @ 7:34 am
haha..maybe look familiar at the meter console.little bit similiar like saga blm. LOL.
July 14, 2009 @ 7:54 am
No complain. The front looks like an evolution of Volvo S60.
The picture quality is superb. Guess what, the resolution is a staggering 18 Mega Pixel. Ouch!
July 14, 2009 @ 8:01 am
Dear Paul,
Unrelated post but hot one ma. http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20090713/tbs-drb-7318940.html After this we will get Naza Aveo. Wow. Naza is the most succesful Bumiputera under NEP under Barisan Nasional. Where’s the others?
July 14, 2009 @ 8:29 am
the rear end is nice! looks very ‘aerodynamic’… this car is lovely! special, compared to s class and 7 series which is kinda ordinary looking…
July 14, 2009 @ 8:42 am
At last they make the head lamp correctly. The XF head lamp was a huge mistake
July 14, 2009 @ 9:07 am
Yes it looks like those engines will be offered, it looks like I was looking at the wrong document. Sorry about that!
July 14, 2009 @ 9:19 am
Jaguar just makes beautiful cars. To me BMW and MB don’t have the elegance and class of the Jag. And the new XJ further proves the point. Love the rear. I do hope they add in those new 5 litre engines though. and those rims look abit dbs-ish.
July 14, 2009 @ 9:21 am
The car and the girls look very Nice. But i think i choose the girls……
July 14, 2009 @ 9:46 am
awesome…the back looks weird tho..like a citreon..but maybe it will take sometime for me to like the back…the front is really good so as the interior…
July 14, 2009 @ 10:07 am
so beautiful..
anyone might know why is it 200kg+ heavier than the old one?
is it coz of the interior?
July 14, 2009 @ 10:14 am
neo said,
July 14, 2009 @ 9:21 am
The car and the girls look very Nice. But i think i choose the girls……
———————————————————
Bro, if you choose the car, U will get the car. If U choose the girls, will they follow U?
July 14, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Bangle’s butt is definitely more beautiful and sexier..and hotter..haha..BMW is so stupid to have let Chris Bangle leaved..he’s a genius in designing cars..
July 14, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Hi Paul,
Why is Jay Leno at the Jaguar party and in video promo?
Is he the new face of Jaguar?
July 14, 2009 @ 11:45 am
the front is lame, just like XF……
but the taillights are looking great
July 14, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
whats with Hasselhoff and Leno picture over there?
btw the car looks great but i reckon the tail design is a bit 90s. now LED rules.
July 14, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
Definitely best interior car of the year so far!
I’d be laughing my head off if I’m TATA!
July 14, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
Paul, with respect, I disagree on the “like Bangle-butt” design for rear-end. I don’t see any obvious two curvy slope at the rear design, but merely a connection of the boot and side design, if you named it “Callum-butt”, maybe nice.
Anyway, at last Jaguar have move forward from being left 40 years to enhanced itself 5 years ahead. they did it, no more English breakfast.. but still a Brit. it’s just a matter of time to get use to the rear design, but same as what we said before on F01.. design will be dated and we will get use to it.
July 14, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
Paul, I think Ian Callum did the right thing on XJ especially the rear and pillar body colour. there will be a XJC!
http://motoring.sky.com/news/videos/jaguar-xjc–in-the-pipeline.aspx
July 14, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
damn! that instrumentation panel is freaking SWEET! look at the way it changes turns me on! and the interior is totally different from what the germans can offer!
amazing, considering that just a few years back, Jaguar was pretty low in branding. now they revamp their entire lineup, unbelievable.
July 14, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
very nice car… solid, very elegant, innovative and fresh.
July 14, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
sorry guys but i kept on imagining the air-cond blower of this lovely beast was side by side with the one we can be seen in Satria Neo… it’s just like heaven and hell..LOL
July 15, 2009 @ 9:18 am
While there’s no denying that overall, this is a nice car, but the front bonnet design could be better if it’s much smoother – the step on the body contour between the front headlamp and the grille. If this this less prominent , it will make it more elegant design in my opinion.
July 15, 2009 @ 9:48 am
Maybe Hasselhoff will buy this baby and turn it into a KITT….
July 15, 2009 @ 11:42 am
The tail light looks like Lancia delta ..
July 16, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
superb…
a big for the cat…
July 16, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
superb…
a big leap for the cat…
July 16, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
superb…
a big leap for the cat…
July 17, 2009 @ 3:34 am
FUGLY butt!! haha.. now im bashing. owhoo.. if outsiders car with fugly butt u all said it is beautiful n “aerodynamic”. if proton or produa do cars like dat u all will bash it to the ground. haish.. typical malaysian.. i think u all like the X6 oso rite? haha.. fugly.
July 18, 2009 @ 2:19 am
It’s definitely a true Jag.
All hail to the wicked design!