Upside
The current XJ is an advanced car wrapped in body that carries all the cues of the 1968 original. That's great if your tastes haven't changed for 40 years, but, as Jaguar discovered, status hasn't helped to sell a lot of cars, especially when you're fighting a cadre of Germans flaunting their technical prowess at every opportunity. The new model, at least at first glance, fixes all that. Modern exterior: check. Interior that's both up-to-date, restrained and stylish: check.
With its aluminium body the XJ is about 150kg lighter than its German rivals, the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8. Tech-wise there's plenty to drool about: LED driving lights front and rear, a hard disk-based GPS and entertainment system featuring two USB ports, an LCD screen in lieu of real instruments, and an optional 1200W Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Power comes from either a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, or a 5.0-litre V8 petrol available with or without a supercharger.
For more information about the ins and outs of the new XJ, check out our in-depth photo gallery.
Downside
Although the current XJ is a snore-fest, Jaguar may have pushed the envelope too far with the new model. The aggressive, angular front seems to be nicked directly from the C-XF concept car from a few years back, and doesn't quite seem to gel with the rear, which is rounded, languid and spartan. And that blacked out rear pillar takes a bit of getting used to.
Outlook
The new XJ is due in Australia in the second quarter of 2010 and, if the XF's pricing strategy is any indication, RRPs will go up quite a bit. Until then, check out the comprehensive preview video filmed at the XJ's launch party in San Francisco.
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