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AuthorTopic: Is this the new XJ. (Read 318 times)
Grim Reaper
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Is this the new XJ.
« Thread Started on Sept 17, 2008, 2:41pm »
Just found this photo on the net, it's worth a look for sure.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x245/carltonslr75/car_photo_230274_5.jpg

Looks good to me.
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keith
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #1 on Sept 19, 2008, 4:33am »
In November 06 I had the opportunity to see the replacement XJ when I was invited to a Customer clinic. The car was off course a prototype and all the time you were accompanied and asked to view the car from certain angles at a set distance. The interior was viewed in a separate hall and was a mock up but you could sit inside and look at all the controls dashboard door trim and seats and boot size (in fact as part of the clinic you even had to load the boot with luggage and give your opinion). The clinic lasted most of a day and at every stage you were asked to compare the Jaguar with all the other cars present. Certainly inside the car you could some of the features due to appear on the XF such as the rotary gear selector and proximity sensing buttons.
Back then it looked a little different from this photo. The back lights were completely different to the current Jaguar theme, and the interior was very radical with some very innovative features and whilst completely different from the current model it still had very much a high luxury theme, but from following the rumours and other spy pictures of the car in the motoring press perhaps these have been watered down.
One thing for certain that when viewed in a large hall adjacent to a Mercedes S-Class Audi A8 and from memory a Mercedes CLS or Maserati Quartroporte, the Jaguar was stunning, and IMO somewhat reminiscent of the new four door Aston Martin Rapide in that it was very low slung almost like a four door coupe.
Finally I got the impression that Jaguar were looking to target this car against more expensive opposition mentioning brands such as Bentley! Although I very much doubt they will be looking to take on competition at that level and price.

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Keith
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Pete
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #2 on Sept 20, 2008, 8:01am »
Too hideous for words.

Jaguar are doomed.

:-[
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Pete
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #3 on Jul 9, 2009, 7:18pm »
New model launched today http://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/#/new_xj/

Not as bad as I thought it would be - but not seen in the flesh yet.

Real disappointment is the interior, 1970s Leyland - who would've thought that would come back?

Obviously no customer loyalty survey was used in the making of this model :P
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keith
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #4 on Jul 10, 2009, 4:11am »
Pete,

As I have (probably boringly by now!), said, I saw the new XJ in November 06 at a customer clinic.

The production car is pretty close to what they showed us, however on the model I saw it had details such as smoked glass panels on the centre console, with chrome switches and the related function light shining through the glass. Obviously not practical for a production car.

In answer to your comments I can assure you that in the metal the car looked fantastic, and when compared to the other cars in the hall at the time - Merc S-Class Audi A8 in particular, it made those seem ten years out of date!

Having switched allegiance after ten years and 4 new Jaguar's, to Lexus with a GS450h (typically well built, with incredible technology) in October 06, I would certainly consider a Jaguar in the future and as such would like to be able subject to cost and size consider a new XJ or even the XF.

It may be stating the obvious but Jaguar will always have critics whether their cars are traditional or forward looking, its all down to personal preference. Interestingly you seem to be able to put for example a Porsche badge on anything and few seem to complain ::). The problem is a lot of people are conditioned by percepetion that if its a BMW or Porsche etc it will be good, But if its a Jagaur then it must be an"old man's car". On Channel 5's Fifth Gear they parked a new Skoda Superb in the West End (of London), with the badges covered. When asked, passers by were impressed and some thought it might be a new BMW. I wonder if they would have said that if they realised it was a Skoda straight away?

Anyway I will be seeing the new XJ next week, so with running the risk of boring everyone further ;) I will report back then.

Regards
Keith
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pacacu
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #5 on Jul 12, 2009, 5:59am »
I strongly wish Jaguar every success with the new XJ, XF and the XKs. If it failed, our cars have zero value not that they are enjoying a hi residual anywhere in the world. When the new X300 was launched, people were very critical but it had proven to be a winner. The XJR, LWB etc. The new XJ will always take time to get used to. But based on the info released, it will be a winner. The key with Jaguar is not markting or after-sales, but the build quality. We cannot suffer a luxury car that have idiot lites come on anytime while the owners are either scared to death, or keep driving hopefully it would reset itself after a few cycle. Also parts need to be priced more in-line to other makes. Knowing quantity is limited due to a small car parc.
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David Palmer
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #6 on Jul 16, 2009, 7:07am »
I'll reserve judgement until I see it "in the flesh"...

...but I don't think that the launch pictures were very flattering. I'm reminded of a triple car crash, a Lancia has just run into the back of an Audi that crashed into the back of a Volvo.

I tried configuring a car on the Jaguar website and was intrigued by the interior. I like the "glass thingypit", but wish it wasn't so Germanic - like a coal bunker, even with the ivory leather seats.

No doubt my dealership will be tugging at my sleeve asking me to take a test drive. More news later then.

Best regards,
David
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David Palmer
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #7 on Jul 16, 2009, 7:08am »
I meant to say "c o c k p i t", but the system seems to have interpreted this the wrong way!
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David Palmer
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #8 on Jul 16, 2009, 3:32pm »
NW news announced huge job losses at Halewood due to X Type being axed, main reasons being voiced that the style of the model was too traditional?

Does this explain the radical audi-ising of the Jaguar brand? Probably, but I wish they'd chosen Lexus as a role model instead.

Probably, like most of you guys, I recieved the new XJ brochure today, I'm actually really trying to like it, but can't find it in me yet. No doubt Arden will rescue it though, they'll come up with a 'proper' wooden dash (costing thousands) and maybe a slipper & pipe rack in the rear for us oldies. What a shame that my hopes rest with a German company to make an English (OK - Indian) brand, ENGLISH.

I have to say though, it does look better than the XF, but that's hardly a recommendation...
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keith
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Re: Is this the new XJ.
« Reply #9 on Jul 17, 2009, 4:41am »
I saw the car on Wednesday at a launch presentation, and in the metal looks equally as impressive as what I saw at the customer clinic from Nov '06, albeit with some detail changes.
The only cars available at the launch were top of the range Portfolio models which have considerable upgrades to all the interior trim, than was ever the case with X350 with the dash door trims and centre console all trimmed in leather. It seems as with the XF Jaguar rather than just adding more equipment to each model variant they are upgrading all areas of trim. Whilst clearly that makes the top models very luxurious, its a bit of a pity for those on a more modest budget, as it leaves you feeling you bought the poor relation! When I bought my X350 the interior looked broadly similar to a much more expensive XJR model, not surprisingly something that always appealled ;).
Without meaning to offend the traditionalist Jaguar fan, this new XJ like the XF is exactly what Jaguar needs for its future survival, in terms of traditional Jaguar luxury it is in a whole new league from anything gone before. No longer does it share noticeable parts from other Jaguar model ranges, giving the cabin an almost Rolls Royce or Bentley bespoke feel.
Some of the most impressive features relate to the technology. The way the screen for the instruments work is very clever, and whilst perhaps a bit of a gimmick the central screen that changes depending on which way you look at it would certainly make for a good talking point. Although not intended for rear seat passengers to look at off course, I think it maybe a bit distracting for those in the back because in the demonstration Jaguar gave when you look at the screen flat on you see both images at the same time.
Probably the one thing that surprisingly impressed the most was the Bowers and Wilkins Audio. When I took delivery of my Lexus the salesman was keen to point out the impressive Mark Levinson system fitted explaining how much a home stereo from these people would cost (I think he spoke about a starting price of $25,000 for a basic system :o). Neither my wife or I are particularly expert in appreciating the qualities good sound reproduction, but we could certainly notice the clarity and quality of this system. On Wednesday they demonstrated in the XJ this new 1800 Watt stereo, and it was absolutely unbelievable. I can honestly say I don't think I have ever heard quality like it anywhere. I cant imagine short of having the singer or musicians sitting in the car playing live, it could sound any better. I did ask whether they were specially enhanced recordings but apparently it was just playing a standard CD.
Whilst nobody knows how it drives, but from a static point of view, to sum up, I think Jaguar have created a car with same special feel you might get from for example a Maserati Quartreporte and certainly a distance from the normal usual luxury car like Merc S Class BMW 7 Series etc. I don't even think without appearing to be in Jaguar pay ;) , that if you spent double and bought a Bentley you would get an appreciably better or more luxurious looking car.
And for me when it appears in the showroom at the end of the year I will be sorely tempted in an ideal world to a 3.0d Portfolio with Adaptive Cruise Control and a couple of other bits. However considering my Lexus which will be 3 years old in October has yet to cover even 6,000 miles, the size of the new XJ to fit my garage, to say nothing of the financial consideration would leave me thinking very carefully. Oh and I forgot to mention trying to convince the wife its a good idea too ::)!!!!

Regards
Keith
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