Jaguar XJ. Nov 09

Completing the transformation is the all new XJ. From some angles it has styling cues more reminiscent of an Aston Martin, or the Bentley Continental. Either way, the XK is a stunner that traditional Jaguar enthusiasts must embrace as a necessary revitalisation of the Jaguar brand.

While a press conference is the usual place to pick up a news story, Just Cars can report a future direction for Jaguar. Over dinner with Mike O'Driscoll he mentioned that the next new Jaguar would be a sports car. Such is his enthusiasm, that when pressed he said it will be thoroughly modern, but will evoke the spirit of the E Class Jaguar, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. Mike suggested that a concept of the car is likely to be shown at Geneva next year with the car going to launch in 2012.
When it comes to scoops, it doesn't get much bigger than this!
Brian Tanner

Australian Jaguar fanciers will have the choice of a twin turbo diesel and three petrol V8s when the striking new Ian Callum-designed XJ range arrives in local dealer showrooms in the second quarter of next year.
Building on the success of the new XK and XF models, the launch of the all new XJ is a major event for the now Indian owned, British based brand. The car was first revealed back in July at a function at London's Saatchi Gallery.
Jaguar Australia says there has already been considerable local interest in the new XJ and the company's general manager Chris Lidis says there is a major "buzz" around this car.

"If things continue in this way, our dealers are going to be very busy when the car arrives in 2010," he said.
He says what is also encouraging is that the XJ is attracting a new group of customers to the Jaguar brand with more than half of those who are contacting dealers about XJ have never owned a Jaguar before.
"We feel that the new XJ and the competitive pricepoints we have been able to achieve should ensure that we continue to attract new customers to the Jaguar brand," Lidis added.
Jaguar describes the engines as the company's most advanced, powerful and efficient ever and the line-up starts with a three-litre twin-turbo diesel. The three five-litre petrol V8s are naturally aspirated units, a 346kW supercharged version and the daddy of them all - the 375kW supercharged supersport version. Pricing for the new Australian range is:
- 3.0-litre V6 Diesel Premium Luxury $193,800 ( Long wheel base $201,800)
-5.0-litre V8 Petrol Premium Luxury $246,000 (LWB $254,000);
- 5.0-litre V8 Petrol Portfolio $269,800;
- 5.0-litre V8 Petrol S/C Portfolio $306,000; and
- 5.0-litre V8 Supersport S/C Supersport $349,800 (long wheelbase $362,800).

Fuel economy and emissions are impressive and Jaguar claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of a tad over 7.0-litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 184g/km for the turbo-diesel car.
The company describes the sleek, sporting and sophisticated all new XJ as bringing a daring new spirit to automotive luxury.
"It offers a seductive mix of striking design, breathtaking performance and engineering without compromise," Jaguar says.
The long-wheelbase versions give rear seat passengers an additional 125mm of legroom and both share the same 520-litre boot space and the car's interior features a raft of advanced new technologies.
Premium surround sound options include the top of the range 1200W Bowers and Wilkins system that Jaguar claims to be comparable in audio quality with the best in home entertainment.

All XJ models will come with Jaguar's dynamic technologies including high definition virtual instruments, dual-view technology and JaguarDrive. Another feature will be a panoramic glass roof. While the first Australian 2010 Jaguar XJ buyers will not take delivery of their car till the second quarter of next year, local dealers are already taking orders.
Ian Crawford.