Jaguar XJ driven

An amazing car on the face of things. .. . Just one negative comment, what gives with the revoltingly tack clock in the centre of the dash. Ruins everything!

By hampster5 on 26 February, 2010, 12:55pm

Tacky clock even!

By hampster5 on 26 February, 2010, 12:55pm

An amazing car on the face of things. .. . Just one negative comment, what gives with the revoltingly tack clock in the centre of the dash. Ruins everything!

By hampster5 on 26 February, 2010, 12:57pm

But that clumsy grill!

Fantastic car and great interior, but I still can't find it attractive with that clumsy grill stuck on the front.
And the rear looks a bit awkward too.
Maybe its one that falls into the 'looks better in the metal' category.

By gavsmit on 26 February, 2010, 4:30pm

Elegance?

Not seen one in the metal, but I`m really struggling with this one!
Just doesnt appear to have the lithe beauty of the last of the XJ`s and I think it's going to date rather quickly...I hope it doesnt and I hope Jaguar all the success possible, but the XK remains Jaguars best looking contemporary classy motor in my view...

Certainly could be very colour dependent and I also think the rear aspects are unresolved? But then again only the Italians at present make truly beautiful executive chariots in the form of the Maserati`s. Dare I say it, but the big Lexus looks better too IMO...Ouch!!!

By LegioIXHispana on 26 February, 2010, 8:03pm

DISGUSTING BACK!!!

I have seen the car in the metal and I just cant understand why the back ruins such a beautiful looking car... the artists' impression on AE looked much better... what were the Jag bosses thinking???

I actually fell sorry for them because so much effort has gone into this project but still it has been ruined.

I reckon Jaguar will go bust in the near future.

Sorry to be so negative!

By Abdurrahman1 on 27 February, 2010, 4:36am

really good

my only negative comment would be that the previous XJ's have been low profile designs but this is really high in height but maybe it is because of the boot space. I have seen a few on the road and it is very very striking to look at and the best thing is that it stands out from the crowd. When comparing this to ugly 7 series it wins hands down. The Merc is too german looking and seems like a very angular design. This is more of a curvy sculptured design and works well. the A8 is not even worth mentioning here, looks like the A4's granddad, nothing inspiring about it other than its a "business" machine designed to rack up miles. The interior in the XJ is spot on, different from the rest of the Jag range unlike the BMW's, Mercs and Audis' and very class leading. All the materials used are thought through, work well, simple and all the interior materials spell luxury. i'm sorry but S-class's use of materials in its interior is just pathetic. i would have expected better from them, like the aluminium or plastic machined centre dash air vents seems like they are just glued onto the wood, it looks bloody awful and aluminium does not represent luxury and nor does it complement the wood. Its chrome or stainless steel, wood and leather that spell luxury. All i'm looking forward to next is the Daimler XJ. it needs to be special. I would propose to Jag a limited edition Daimler XJ-Sterling with every chrome part either hand made of solid silver or silver plated by someone in Jewellery Quarter. That would be class and dare to say compete with the Rolls-Royce Ghost which in my opinion is just a 7 series in a fancy dress ;). Well done Jag!

By corsamani on 27 February, 2010, 4:48pm

Armchair Critics

are a pain in the aass. Don't you dumbasses ever get tired of your own whining? Bitchin' about a clock? A grill? Fo' gawds sake - get a friggin' life! I'll bet not ONE of you will EVER aspire to own a car like this - not even USED.

By Exazanian on 28 February, 2010, 4:35am

universal

couldnt agree with you more exazanian

By sirstuart on 28 February, 2010, 9:44pm

Hi guys, I get to test most of the new cars coming out, this weekend it was the turn of the 5 ltr XJ jag, and the 3.0 diesel.
The cars feel heavy on the road, I tried to put my finger on why and concluded it was the steering feel and seating position these are "long Cars" even the short wheel base is long 5122mm.
The ride quality is still IMO "old Man" and thats both Oiler and 5 ltr in any mode.
Interoir fit and finish is first class if anything "Bling Bling" just too many gimmicks,to many silly lights and changing dials, leather quality beautiful though.
Sat-Nav "Dangerous", it's touch screen and you have to look at it to make changes and the screen position does not help improve ease of use.
Sitting in the back seats is awful, short people will see very little as the combined high doors and sloping glass greatly reduce vision, this coupled with a dark interior was very claustrophobic, it is better with the sun-roofs open and lighter leather though, kids will see very little.
The drive; well Jaguar as you know is renowned for ride-quality and does a fantastic "Old Man" job on any road surface, whoever changing from normal to sport mode makes little difference to ride and frankly I would just leave it in sport for the "Red Dials".
Performance; 5 ltr poor response poor gear changes, gutless and too smooth, again "Old Man".
Performance 3.0 Oiler; Low down torque say first 2.5K Rpm good there after drops like a stone and is nothing but a cruiser, the car as I said feels heavy in spite of all the hype about aluminium construction , the diesel feels "under powered" and any BMW Oiler will eat it alive.
Space and leg room:
I drove the short wheel base models, front space Minimal everything wraps around the driver making for a ergonomically good space for most things, but tight for such a large car, rear space was good, rear seats were NOT fold down I was told and boot space was 520 Ltrs which seemed ok.
Visual appeal: The car in the flesh looks ever bit it's 5122mm length, this is accentuated by the sloping rear and dark tinted rear windows, and from a side view looks nice, from the rear however does not.
The car feels solidly made and Paint finish and panel fit looked good.
To sum up IMO, still not got away from the "Old Man" appeal.

By johnbmwx6 on 1 March, 2010, 3:05pm

Johnmmwx6; if i want your biased comments I'll read them in X6 owners weekly, i'm guessing. That must be a scintillating read. How you can berate Jag with petty old-man comments is almost unbelievable. This car, in one fell swoop, makes the Germans look outdated and staid. They have technology on their side, but typically no emotional interest. The S-Class looks like a sterile appliance next to the XJ. And I don't even love the XJ, but you have to give Jag credit; they responded to the fact that their cars were starting to look old-fashioned by pushing the envelope with this car. Consequently, as with any advance, some will hate it and they may well lose some old-man sales; not to worry, they can always pop along to their BMW dealers and sit in the armchair of the 7-series.

By Alfamonk on 1 March, 2010, 7:23pm

This way gents...

Would BMW owners please form an orderly queue.
I know it goes against the grain but no pushing.

By stevie on 2 March, 2010, 7:55am

love the clock,pity about the grille!! and the erks who have written
Canberra B1

By rsvareo on 2 March, 2010, 8:08am

Alfamonk Reply

Thank you for you input, as to my "biased" comments, well a little history; I have owned some Jags, MK2 3.8, E-Type, in the days when IMO Jaguar was a real car.
Since then I have had new; 3 Lexus, 8 Audi's ( all the fast ones) and now on my 4th BMW ( 635DS, M6,X635D and M3) which is the 2010 M3 E90 Saloon.
I would dearly like to give full credit too Jaguar in there efforts to "compete" with the " Top Opposition " and indeed I would have been happier if the Technology at least WORKED before allowing the public near it, as these were not press cars.
However their design team IMO have missed something in this somewhat rushed product. Utilisation of design space, I will not explain this to you, I suggest you go test drive one and then all will be revealed.

By johnbmwx6 on 2 March, 2010, 9:34am

potential buyer

Why dont you have luxury cars tested by poeple who buy them and drive them, so they know what they are talking about?
Most potential buyers, including me, would tell you that the poor ride will be due to the 20" wheels. They might 'fill the wheel arches', but they also fill the pockets of chyropractors and osteopaths.

By paulrouse1 on 2 March, 2010, 10:25am

Great Motor Jag

Full marks to Jaguar for making a stand and breaking with tradition. Something the Germans aren't able to do recently and the revamping of their current models is now starting to get irritating! I have owned many top spec German cars (AMG's etc.) and Lexus ( although I would struggle to say any of the Lexi I had were fast? I know they now have the "supercar"), and unlike one of the previous know all's I find the recent Jaguars a breath of fresh air. I have owned the new XK for two years, stunning car, so much better than the SL or the Horrid 6 series. The handling and ride are far better than the BM equivalents, which gave me a back back within weeks of ownership! Give Jaguar the credit they deserve for once. Or stick with your German and Japanese box and keep quiet!
Can't wait for a drive of the new XJ. Well done Jaguar

By GlynC on 2 March, 2010, 11:08am

Wow! - This is it! - Forget the rest!

If you are looking for serious motoring with a real smooth automobile - this is it!

William Lyons, Lofty England and Mike Hawthorne would be proud of this beautiful automobile and love it!

Forget the others from the one time Schrempp Emporium, Lederhosen und Weizen Bier Country or screwed to-gether with cheap parts from Asia etc - this is the ultimate and quite apart driving and posing machine! Full stop!

It certainly looks great and goes well with things like exclusive Burberrys gear or really classic DAKS jacket and a smart Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch for a run to the county pub down on Gorings seafront in Sussex, Promenade de Anglais in Canne or the Kö in Düsseldorf!

This is superb good taste in motion!

Its not what such cars can do but how they do it!

Herbert Austin and William Morris would love this one!

By vandenplas4litre on 2 March, 2010, 11:56am

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

This car looks awfull. I mean look at those headlight, look at it from the side. its just so ugly and not proportioned. Jaguar will definitly go bust with this type prodcutions.

The current XJ has something special about it and looks far more luxurious and special

By iozdil on 2 March, 2010, 1:43pm

Hmmmmm....it's got class!

Just got back from driving the 3.0Litre LWB in Portfolio trim for over an hour. Well as a Chauffeur I thought the driving position, dials and dashboard layout was excellent. Clearly the investment in the new range has been well spent and despite my fear that the sweeping rear by the C pillar there is no problem entering & exiting the vehicle in the back. Yes I can see that some may think far too many "bells & whistles", but like any vehicle until you've lived with it for a while it's all a bit scary. I'm quite sure my boss will be happy to be driven around in this vehicle and the rear seat back tables are a nice touch at this trim level. The seats are extremely comfortable and the silence within the vehicle reminds me of the Lexus. I found that it was easy to push around the country lanes we went out driving on and power is even with the diesel even when pushed. I can see others thought it might be a bit dark in the rear but you simply open the roof screen and light floods in. The Bowers & Wilkins sound system is excellent. Now I've got to talk the boss into buying it.

By steviebaby100 on 3 March, 2010, 1:05pm

Jaguar

Is it at all possible for motoring scribes to br less nagative about the ramaining british car industry. Once again with the launch of The new Jag we have the lead stating 'British firm’s most important model in years'.
the same statement made got the XF the X type and the previous XJ's.
Time to get new reporters I think. They seem to have run out of 'words'.

By theuncle1 on 4 March, 2010, 8:20am

This big cat is exactly what a luxury Jag should be

Abdurrahman1 - I disagree that Jag will go bust in the near future. The French have been banging out way uglier cars for years. The new face direction will take time to get used to, like when BMW went Bangle, did not stop them from selling by the bucket load. With Jag the refinement, excellent cruising ability, great engines, light weight and fantastic cabin will be a big draw. Expect to see this selling well worldwide

By Focus_your_mind on 8 March, 2010, 10:37am

This big cat is exactly what a luxury Jag should be

Abdurrahman1 - I disagree that Jag will go bust in the near future. The French have been banging out way uglier cars for years. The new face direction will take time to get used to, like when BMW went Bangle, did not stop them from selling by the bucket load. With Jag the refinement, excellent cruising ability, great engines, light weight and fantastic cabin will be a big draw. Expect to see this selling well worldwide

By Focus_your_mind on 8 March, 2010, 12:03pm

No accounting for taste (Or lack of it!)

johnbmwx6 - You are slating this and you bought a car which is not great in any department; if you wanted a coup'e buy a real one and if you want a real 4x4 buy the best one and Landrover not this knocked off German copy. Stick to your X6 with the dreadful ecconomy, lack of true off road ability and terrible reviews you probably will be!

By Focus_your_mind on 8 March, 2010, 12:20pm

Sam

Your correspondent Exazanianon, and those “who couldn’t agree with you more, Exazanianon” appear to be typical examples of today’s bling - culture, me first, fashion - victim BMW - lovers who worship the cult of superficial appearances, and money, and status, and Thatcherism in general, and whose principal thought appears to be: “Look at me, man, in me new black BMW - know what I mean?”. These (now proliferated throughout British society, not least in Westminster) sorts have, as a result of their deeply flawed attitudes and values, collectively contributed to the near total destruction of British industry, and the conveyance of its once proud remnants, such as Rover and Jaguar, into the hands, ultimately, of the likes of Tata, who now own the Jaguar, Land Rover, Rover, Daimler And Lanchester brands!

Imagine such names as Citroen, or Porsche, or any number of other famous European marques (all of whom now openly laugh in the face of Britain!) being irresponsibly flung into the open arms of the Chinese (appalling quality, safety, and morals) or the Indians (brilliant, well - meaning people, but well, Indian). It would NEVER, EVER, happen - not in a million years!

Britain today is not only now financially bankrupt - as has been widely reported in the World’s press recently - but spiritually and morally broken as well, thanks in large part to the likes of the neophile Exazanianon’s of this nation, who would buy an ox cart with wooden planked wheels before a “British” vehicle - traditional or otherwise - just so long as it sported a blue and white propeller on it somewhere!

Hence the new XJ, which in every single way possible, is visually vastly inferior to the old XJ. The outgoing XJ represented a style evolved and refined over many years which was the epitome of understated patrician (a word unknown to Exazanianon and his chums I expect; I recommend he and his ilk look it up in a dictionary - if he ever has a few moments to spare after polishing the twenty - two inch chromed bling wheels on his “mo - er”, that is!) simplicity and elegance, but which nevertheless clothed an unbeatable blend of advanced technology and refinement which made the Jag unequalled by any of its rivals - except, despite these manifest facts, regarding the vast number of better sales enjoyed by BMW and Mercedes etc.!

And all, and only, because of some immature child - marketeer’s view of the world which has very sadly now been universally adopted by the credulous, unsophisticated, and frankly, generally uncivilised and superficial society now dominating this once great nation. A view in which the visual qualities of the old Jaguar XJ represent those old role models in British society (such as once well respected and professional nation building gentleman - another word Exazanianon will need to look up in a dictionary! - like engineers, or doctors, or vetinary surgeons, the classic example being the Rover - driving Seigfreid Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small) which are now universally mocked and reviled as “my irrelevant, stuffy old grandfather”, in favour of the new role models the latest generations all aspire to - and well the marketers know this! Role models such as the inner city gun - toting drug dealer, or the cerebrally challenged and culturally bereft footballer “bending” it like Beckham, whose principal hobby - after getting pissed and shagging his best mate’s wife in the street - is burning Harris Tweed jackets in his pretend plastic Tudorbethan mansion fireplace!

Talk about the king’s new clothes, and the ultimate triumph of the marketeer’s style over substance? My God! Even James Disdale - the author of the new XJ article, and representing presumably, the views of Auto Express - can only spout platitudes such as: “…the smooth Mercedes S-Class and the poised Porsche Panamera”, when describing two German - and hence universally dominant - vehicles the new XJ will have to struggle to match (!) which are in reality quite hideous and unresolved visual failures, or; “There’s no question that the car trumps its German rivals in the style stakes. As with the XF, the newcomer banishes the retro looks and stuffy image of its predecessor to the history books with its gaping grille and menacing [like a role - model criminal] lights, while a rakish [like an immoral criminal con - man] profile gives a sporty [like a cretin footballer’s] stance.”

So, in the ad - dominated, superficial, and “Actually proud to be ignorant and superficial!” (“They tell me there is an engine under there, but we don’t want to know about that do we?”.....Jeremy Clarkson, 1984, et al) world of today the only reason the new XJ will survive, and MAYBE even prosper, in the executive car market out there, is if it is visually attractive in comparison with its rivals, appearance being, despite whatever technology and refinement barriers any new arrival can vault better than its competitors, the chief quality of any new car which will, more than any other single thing, determine its future sales success (excepting that exception that proves the rule, the case of “the cult of BMW”, of course).

Other, technological, or even “Support British design and technology - or die” (we are dying) issues have, sadly, no bearing upon the matter whatsoever! Ordinarily then, the new XJ would be as doomed as its predecessor was, were it not for the extremely fortunate fact that its chief rivals from BMW and Mercedes - but NOT, in my minimalist - design opinion, Audi - are, incredibly even more pug - ugly (as to frankly beggar belief) than many aspects of the visually awkward new XJ are!

Imagine succeeding only upon a least - worst case however!

Grace, Space, Pace?

Now where did I put that “Late model, previously enjoyed XJ’s for sale” advertisement?

By samskittle on 16 March, 2010, 5:47pm

SAM

Thanks SAM, just how long ago was it you "RETIRED" .

By johnbmwx6 on 19 March, 2010, 4:32pm

I FIXED THE NEW XJ!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=11860522&l=eaa5b3818f&id=680065313

By jagman on 15 April, 2010, 5:13pm

sammy

Were you vaccinated with a phonograph needle. what drivel. XJ is a great step forward, have you actually seen it? Us that have like it quite a bit. And it drives better than it looks. So put a sock in it and hope the customers agree and help Jag get back to the success of the past.

By qball on 17 April, 2010, 8:12am

Superb

Far better looking than the rather staid new 5 series and the new Merc.

And the grill isnt stuck on!

Its great and lets get behind a superb British machine and i'm an S type owner who likes the look of the old ones.

The inside is lovely and its superb in the flesh.

By DeliG on 20 April, 2010, 7:48pm

Stunning

Well I think it looks great, even the rear, and am glad Jaguar has dropped the retro look, it was getting a bit long in the tooth.

By erly5 on 27 April, 2010, 10:11pm

Sam

Hi johnbmwx6 -

Did you never hear the axiom that the busiest people in the World have the most time to do things, such as writing what needs to be said - at length if necessary?

Since you ask, I "retired" from your neophilc, superficial, sound -byte world at around age five.

By the way, do you own a black BMW? ...

Short enough for you to understand I trust!

By samskittle on 28 April, 2010, 5:23pm

Sam

Dear qball

In a free country (which I believe the UK still, just about, is!) you are, of course, entitled to your views - however erroneous they may be - and even, one suposes, to insult fellow correspondents by the use of such words as "drivel".

For my own part however, I generally prefer a more reasoned and civilised approach to debate - unless, that is, a qball verbally invades, as it were, Poland first.

The new XJ is no doubt mechanically sound (although I have heard that the famed superior ride quality common to ALL previous XJ incarnations has been finally sacrificed on the altar of German firmness in order, no doubt, to attract the motoring fashionistas) but it IS nevertheless visually poor and unresolved in many areas. Take off your blinkers man, and look carefully, especially around the "C" pillar region! Inept, or what? William Lyons would never have produced such an unresolved and merely fashionable bling machine, for his business was always to do with beautiful cars, which the new XJ manifestly is not!

It is quite wrong to confuse novelty and mere change with progress, as our politicians - and perhaps yourself - always do. The merely novel can also be a backward step, as well as "A great step forward", as you wrongly claim the new XJ to be.

May I suggest a short drive to that inner city pool hall which is clearly your principal haunt in your black BMW may calm you down somewhat?

By samskittle on 28 April, 2010, 6:01pm

Life On Mars....

Wow Sam, I think you've managed to insult the entire world with those posts. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion as you so eloquently stated. It is not 1972 however, although I suspect it would suit you if it was.

Progress is a fickle mistress and has never much cared for those she leaves behind. There are aspects of the new XJ I'm not comfortable with. The 'stern' aspect for instance is not to my taste. Having said that, I reckon 'Jag' have made a decent effort considering they've needed to adapt to survive.

Therein lies the root of the problem. Tastes change over time, Fact! If you want a car that reminds you of a 1960s/70s Westminster boardroom, go purchase a Bristol (absolutely no sarcasm intended). In the meantime, the rest of us will continue to 'red shift' the hell outta here, hanging desperately onto the coat-tails of Ms Progress as she serenely navigates a path across an ever expanding universe...

By sgtgrash on 30 April, 2010, 1:38pm

Most of you miss the point

The new XJ is not meant to compete squarely with the S class. It is meant to be a drivers luxury car, not an out and out limo. This is why it is pitched equally against Maserati and Porsche.

The car is fantastic. I live near the Jag factory and have seen dozens of them. And I have to say I like them, they look awesome.

Perhaps a better point is that there isn't really a bad car at this price bracket. You pay your money and take your choice. They are all good! They are just different.

If I were going to buy an proper exec car to drive I'd go for an XJ. But I'm not, they are too big, my last car was an XK (so yes I can afford one). If I was going to be driven around all day I'm not sure I'd care what it was as long as it was big and comfy.

By Steve100 on 18 May, 2010, 11:34pm

Nasty & Nice

The front of the jaguar is very stylish and brings to mind the maserati quattroporte which is probably the biggest compliment i could give the jag, however there on things start to take a turn for the worse. The side profile is rather coupe like and certainly not befitting a full size luxury car and seriously compromises rear headroom in a car which is to be mainly used as a chauffered limo. I could still forgive the car's side because at least it is original in this class at least but then there is that gastly rear, all squashed and awkward looking with blacked out pillars, just awful. Unfortunately the dash is rather hideous also with round air vents protruding form the dash which look like they belong in a smart car, however jaguar have atleast made the interior look more spacious with a less vertical dash like the old xj which just looked so cramped. I like the new xj in part and dont like it in others, well i suppose the design has gor people talking and that's always a good thing when you are tyring to raise a brands profile.

By malak on 14 June, 2010, 11:56pm

Sam

Yes, tastes change over time, but not the eternal verities of excellence in the field of design! What modern city dwelling may mach the sublimity of a Georgian terraced house, for example, and what system of proportion and composition has ever equaled the tenents of classical Greek architectural theory? Moreover try telling that old chestnut about “… they've needed to adapt to survive.” to the famous dinosaurs of ancient times (a race that lived and prospered for at least forty times longer than mankind has so far clung to this planet, with his pathetic preconceptions that since he must be the ultimate face of evolution he may never die out - but think again!) to whom this sort of comment has most commonly - but never more incorrectly - been applied!

I am afraid that in his haste to criticise my stance on the new XJ Mr. “sgtgrash” (30.04.10) was one of those many who “missed the [my] original overall point” - as "Steve 100" wrote in May regarding all other posts on this subject other than his own! Curiously however, Mr. “sgtgrash” did appear to accept my main point, which was that the rear end (but not my secondary point concerning the front end) of the new XJ is poor, to say the very least! What Mr. “sgtgrash” appears to be saying, therefore, is that: “Yes, the XJ is not the complete product, particularly visually [which was always, always, always, one of Jaguar’s central qualities over ALL its competitors] that the XK 120, the e-type [or even, in my view - and I accept that regrettably, it appears to be my view alone amongst the majority of the car community] the older XJ’s were in their day (and for all time, since, as the poet said: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”) but I accept this lack as the inevitable price of: “…’red shifting' the hell outta here, hanging desperately onto the coat-tails of Ms Progress”!

But it isn’t inevitable at all, far from it in fact! Unfortunately however, Mr. “sgtgrash”’s popular, but greatly mistaken view that compromise and mediocrity must be accepted as the inevitable price of “…’red shifting' the hell outta here, hanging desperately onto the coat-tails of Ms [why only a femine gender?] Progress”, is just a reiteration of the old and oft - repeated con imposed upon the consuming masses by the many legions of untalented “new” musicians, artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, writers, architects - and car designers, who, knowing they haven’t the gifts of their great - and timeless, as design skills always are - predecessors, are quite desperate to dress up their poor, and far too often, pathetic efforts as better than that which went before simply because that which went before went before, and was not, therefore a novel and brand - new toy for the fashionistas of the “…’red shifting' the hell outta here, hanging desperately onto the coat-tails of Ms Progress”! generation to play with! And also because, in order to achieve their dream of great success, global admiration, and riches beyond the wildest dreams of avarice (Hirst, et al!) and most of all POWER! (mankind’s chief motivator) over their fellow human beings, assassinating the character, skills, and creations of their so often superior predecessors is the mediocrity’s only chance of disguising the fact that they are simply yet another example of “The King’s New Clothes”!

As Disraeli’s father said in the mid nineteenth century however: “It is wretched taste, Mr. “sgtgrash”, to be gratified by the mediocre when the excellent lies before us!”.

So it was then, and so it will always be !

Steve says he is, or was, an XK owner, I note, which, in it’s current incarnation is, I think, not being stuck in 1972 as Mr. “sgtgrash” seems to think I am (for I can admire excellence from any age) an excellent MODERN car which looks very good on the road from most angles.

Very good, but not, however, perfect. For visually (which, if we are all honest, is just about the most important point when reacting to a new - or any - car, isn’t it, even though we may speak volumes regarding those other very important aspects such as dynamics, comfort, fuel consumption, and all the other points that also go to make up the whole automotive experience) it is not, by any means, as perfect as its ancestor, the original XK - the legendary 1948 XK 120 - was, or the E-type Series 1 most certainly was, a car Enzo Ferrari himself said was the most beautiful car ever made!

On the current XK the front valance under the (harking back to the E- type) oval grille is, for example, awkwardly thick and therefore a bit clumsy looking, and the headlamp units are not quite right, are they (as was most obviously the case when the XF moved from concept to production reality)? These lamp units make the XF look somewhat bug - eyed, and therefore less elegant than it could, and should, have been. Although one accepts that due to the steady accumulation of automotive legislation (particularly in the area of safety) it certainly is getting harder and harder for car stylists to create beautiful cars, one only has to look at the XKs visual cousins, the various current Aston Martins, to immediately see headlamp units that are elegant and far from bug - eyed, and so this is an area that the Astons clearly trump the Jaguar on, new legislation or no! The rear of the XK (the one area where nearly all modern cars, and, interestingly, nearly no classic cars, seem always to fall down on visually) is, however, exemplary, and is, in fact, aesthetically superior to all the current Aston Martin models (but not superior to several of their ancestors, such as, for example, the legendary DB 5, whose rear and was close to perfection!).

That said, the Astons do, as I say, sport a better, more elegant, and not at all clumsy, front end than does the XK, so that if one could combine the front of any current Aston with the rear of the current XK we might then be getting closer to the complete beauty of an XK 120 or an E-type (but only closer to)! Ironically, it is this rear aspect in which visually the new XJ so particularly and so spectacularly fails, as I have repeatedly tried to point out to those lovers of the now (“Only yesterday is long forgotten history, and tomorrow may never come, so ‘party on’ in the now, dude!”) such as Mr. “sgtgrash”, and even, perhaps, “Steve 100”, both of whom still appear not to be able to see my essential point, represent.

For whilst “Steve” clearly appreciates the visual excellence of his XK, he appears at the same time to be blind to the visual failures of the new XJ, which he describes as looking ”awesome”, a word that I believe simply cannot be applied to a product so visually compromised as the new XJ is! Visual compromise, to say the least, whilst a noted historical trademark since c. 1965 (but not before then) for the otherwise to be admired Bristol Car Company - mentioned somewhere by my critics - and many others down the ages, and in the present day (Sydney Allard being particularly severely visually challenged!) was however NEVER, ever, a trademark of Jaguar, who were always particularly renowned for their Grace, Space, and Pace. Which is all the more reason to be disappointed by the appearance of the new XJ!

As it happens, and most inconveniently for my confused critics such as Mr. “sgtgrash”, I am a lover of both modern car design and the beautiful, and sometimes not quite so beautiful, classic designs of the past (I always, whilst admiring, and from time to time, piloting the classics of bygone motoring ages, drive, day to day, in a current - not even a recent - model car, for example) because my essential point is - once more - that beauty is not a function of the past (be it 1972, 1272, 1872, or whenever) or a function of the present or the future; it is TIMELESS, which makes Mr. “sgtgrash”’s jibes about me living in a 1972 past less than insignificant! Can no one see this essential point?!

Incidentally, the 1970’s (a decade I personally detest above all others from a design point of view, and hence a time I should never wish to experience again - as Mr. “sgtgrash”quite erroneously speculates I should!) was, in the entire history of the motor car, the very worst decade of the automotive industry, representing as it did, the complete nadir, both mechanically (e.g. Austin Maxi gearboxes!) bodily (the seventies being the decade of terminal rust, e.g. various Alfas and Lancias!) and certainly visually (various Renaults, et al, of that time!) and so, contrary to that which he claims is my exclusive province, if Mr. “sgtgrash” knows anything, he certainly knows far better than I do how to roundly insult a chap!

Sam

By samskittle on 10 August, 2010, 5:08pm