Big cat bounces back
2009-04-21 08:14
What will Gordon Brown’s new company car look like? Jaguar has released the first teaser images of its fourth-generation XJ.
Gleaned from the single, overhead teaser image, it’s clear the fourth-generation XJ will be a distinct departure from its forebears.
Although the XJ’s traditional, elongated styling and proportions are set to be retained to a degree, the new car will cue many details from the smaller XF – which has been very favourably received since introduction last year.
Feline feel retained?
The XJ's tapered rear three-quarter styling treatment has been replaced by a significantly fuller design.
By moving the line of interdiction between the rear-window and boot surface further back, the boot-top surface has been severely truncated, rendering a more purposeful, XF-proportioned rear-view.
If you strain your eyes across to the flanks (admittedly hard to do considering the image is a top-view perspective) you’ll notice the relative lack of a substantial C-pillar, which should imbue the XJ with a very smooth profile.
The front view should also cue strongly from the XF, with strong bonnet surface detailing indicating more swept back, uniform headlamp clusters.
Thoroughly contemporary dynamics
Beyond the contemporary nature of the styling, engineering is set employ the best mechanical bits Jaguar has to offer.
When it arrives at dealers towards the end of this year, expect XJ to exhibit favourable dynamics thanks to a lightweight, weldless, composite-bonded aluminium body architecture - a first for Jaguar.
Engines are primarily borrowed from the XF range, with compression-ignition power provided by the Ford-PSA designed 3l V6 (202kW/601Nm), whilst V8 power extends from 4.2l in naturally aspirated (219kW/411Nm) and supercharged (306kW/560Nm) form.
Topping off the XJ range will be a performance derivative, powered by the XFR’s 5l, supercharged V8 (375kW/625Nm).
It will not, however, carry the ‘R’ moniker, which is being allegedly reserved for an even more powerful model later on in the product life-cycle...
