|
By EWAN
KENNEDY
21 September 2009
The Frankfurt motor show is one of the world’s most important
and when you see journalists standing ten deep waiting for the
unveiling of a new model you know the car must be very important.
The new Jaguar XJ created exactly this sort of excitement when we
attended that event. Dozens of other cars had already been
released that day, but none were as eagerly anticipated.
All the more so since the lines of the latest XJ were already
creating controversy. Jaguar had released teaser shots of its new
XJ almost two months ahead of the Frankfurt show, but we wanted to
see it the car in the metal to confirm our thoughts on the radical
new styling direction taken by Ian Callum, chief designer for the
British marque.
The front of the new Jaguar XJ is a bold evolution of the XF
series launched in 2007. In the XJ the grille is larger and more
upright as befits the flagship status of this saloon. It also juts
forward in a very positive manner unlike what we have seen for
many years. But don’t think of the frontal shape as being retro,
this really is an ultra modern automobile.
It's at the rear that the new Jaguar XJ has created the most
discussion. That sweeping fastback tail extends a long way and the
rear light treatment is something right out of the ordinary. We
have to admit to not finding it particularly attractive in photos,
but in the metal the back end styling really works brilliantly.
Even more so when the big Jag is on the road, not in the
artificial confines of a motor show stand.
As before, the body of the XJ is created almost exclusively from
aluminium in order to keep weight down. However it still tips the
scales on the wrong side of 1.7 tonnes, reflecting the amount of
luxury and safety equipment that's crammed into cars in this class
these days. Then again, Jaguar's figures show the XJ's competitors
weigh at least 150 kilograms more.
Inside, the cabin is spacious, with a nice wrap-around effect that
carries the dash area neatly into the doors. The simplicity of the
shape that we admire so much in the Jaguar XF is carried across to
that car’s bigger brother. A virtual dashboard can show multiple
displays depending on driving conditions and individual driver
preferences.
Audio entertainment comes from a 1200-watt Bowers and Wilkins
setup that drives no fewer than 20 speakers.
It might sound corny to bring up the famous old Jaguar advertising
slogan: Grace, Space and Pace, but it really does apply to this
stunning 21st century saloon.
Power comes from a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine in either naturally
aspirated or supercharged format. There's also a twin-turbo diesel
engine displacing 3.0 litres for those who want plenty of torque
with a minimum of fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions.
Drive is through an advanced six-speed automatic transmission.
At this stage we haven’t road tested any of the new Jaguar XJ
models, but will do so as soon as possible and will get back with
full drive impressions.
The all-new Jaguar XJ is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in
March 2010. We suggest an early trip down to your favourite Jaguar
dealer well before then as there's already a lot of interesting
building and it would be a shame to get stuck in a long queue to
secure yours.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
|
