New Jaguars revealed
XKR, upmarket XJR, plus plenty tweaks
Jaguar XJ Long Wheelbase
The XKR offers a rigid lightweight body, and high chassis control and grip levels and aims to hit the balance between a GT cruiser and a sports car. Visually, it's distinguished by details such as the enhanced front bumper, bonnet louvres, aluminium-finish grilles, side power vents, 19 and 20-inch alloy wheel designs and a chrome-finished quad-exhaust system.
Jaguar's UK boss Geoff Cousins said: "Since the remarkable success of the new XK, expectations were high for the supercharged version, the XKR. We believe this car will exceed expectations with its great looks and phenomenal driving experience. We have taken more than 800 advance orders for the XKR already which is testament to the XK and proves that the UK market appreciates Jaguar's design and engineering capabilities."
XKR prices start from £67,495 – £7,500 more than the naturally aspirated XK which went on sale in March this year.
XJR Portfolio
Also making its debut at the British Motor Show is the XJR Portfolio, a special edition 400bhp supercharged performance saloon, inspired by the design cues first seen on the Concept Eight show car which starred at the New York International Auto Show in 2004.
The XJR Portfolio shares exterior design cues with the XKR, including sculpted aluminium side power vents, bright mesh grille, chrome-finished exhaust system, polished 20-inch alloy sports wheels and Midnight exterior paint. The interior aims to combine luxury with a modern feel, including the aluminium weave veneer from the new XKR, with a range of new technology.
"This fully equipped, supercharged Jaguar saloon is priced at the same level as competitive V8 entry models which have less performance and equipment," said Cousins. "This excellent value for money demonstrates why the Jaguar XJ continues to be such a sales success. Since its launch in 2003, the XJ has been the most successful in its sector. The XJ has had a very strong half year – best highlighted by an increase of 53.7 per cent in March versus last year to lead the segment – and of course the car has won numerous awards this year including most recently 'Best Luxury Car' at the 2006 Fleet World Honours."
The XJR Portfolio is priced at £62,040.
XJ Long Wheelbase Diesel
There's a new XJ Long Wheelbase Diesel too. Jag makes a hoo-hah about its weight: the aluminium-bodied car weighs 1,665 kilos, 50kg more than the petrol-powered V8 Sovereign but only 7kg ore than the TDVi Sovereign. it's 350 kilos less than the BMW 730 LD, however.
The XJ LWB Diesel is available to order now and will cost from £46,770 for the Executive derivative and £52,770 for the Sovereign – a premium of £1,750 over the equivalent 2.7 litre standard wheelbase models.
New tweaks
With the launch of two new XJ models, Jaguar also announces updates and tweaks for the XJ range -- with the emphasis on sporty (it says here).
There are new exterior colours and interior trim options, 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels and a bright mesh grille now standard on all XJs.
Inside, Jag offers a new range of trim and veneer options plus Bluetooth phone connectivity and heated front seats are now standard across the range. The car will contain new technologies such as a rear-seat entertainment system or JaguarWatch – a satellite-based anti-theft device plus an audio connectivity module so you can plug in a digital music player; Jag didn't say but it's be bonkers not to make this iPod-compatible.
Joining these new models on the new-look Jaguar stand is an S-TYPE 2.7 Diesel, the S-TYPE R, an X-TYPE 2.2 Estate and an X-TYPE 2.2 Saloon.
And from August, all XK and XJ purchasers are eligible for one year's membership to an "exclusive lifestyle club", Quintessentially. It's a 24-hour global concierge service with over 20,000 partners worldwide and offers discounts on items such as travel and theatre tickets to restaurant bookings, from special gifts to domestic services.
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No denying the fact that BMWs, Mercs, Audis, etc. are good cars, but, their designs are are just not as long lasting as the Jag XJ. Look at the XJ Series 3, produced between 1979 and 1992. It still looks the part.
It's rumoured that the new XJ is going to be radically different. Let's wait and watch.
No denying the fact that BMWs, Mercs, Audis, etc. are good cars, but, their designs are are just not as long lasting as the Jag XJ. Look at the XJ Series 3, produced between 1979 and 1992. It still looks the part.
It's rumoured that the new XJ is going to be radically different. Let's wait and watch.
It's not.
Considering your profession, you are in a much better position to know about "to be launched" models than me.
I just conveyed what I had read here:
www.jaguarmagazine.com/website/current/index.shtml
I'd like nothing more than for Jaguar to completely redesign both cars just as they're doing with the S-TYPE. The new S-TYPE looks amazing too apparently! Can't wait for that next year.
Looking on the Jag XKR website they've ditched JRG! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
G
To be replaced by a colour called Mistral Fire or Emerald Fire or something like that. It'll probably be almost identical. (I've not seen it yet!).
Really?
Think about when cars like the XK120, E-Type, Mk X, XJ6 were launched - they were anything but understated compared to their contemporaries and they have all defined the brand.
Todays offerings pale into insignificance by comparison. Unfortunately, adding bling doesn't make a car stand out. It just makes it look bling.
I think Jaguar have lost their way.
Looking on the Jag XKR website they've ditched JRG! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
G :
On the motor show stand,they still have the colour palate for JRG. Mistral is new and is a mid range blue, that has replaced Ultraviolet.
We've still got a colour palate for Carnival and Emerald (predecessor to JRG). Mistral was a proper colour going back 6-7 years.
I liked ultraviolet, it looked very sexy on an XKR coupe with Ivory & 20" Sepangs.
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