Jaguar XJ Prototype Spied Disguised as BMW

With the redesigned 2010 XJ debut scheduled for July 9, Jaguar has started to peel away the layers of camouflage from their prototypes.



This particular mule trades the thick plastic body armor of the recent XJ seen testing of Germany's Nürburgring for a sneaky BMW appearance complete with a twin kidney grille and the brand's trademark psychedelic camouflage. Despite the attempted trickery, this is the first time we can get a decent glimpse of the upcoming luxury saloon.

As expected, the new XJ borrows much of its exterior styling from the company's highly regarded XF sedan. While many details are still hidden by the camouflage, it's clear the redesigned XJ features a massive grille, a sleek four-door coupe appearance, and a huge C-pillar.

Engine options will include Jaguar's new supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 510 bhp (380kW) and 625 Nm of torque, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel which is rated at 271 bhp (202kW) and 600 Nm of torque, as well as the naturally aspirated version of the 5.0-liter V8.



Jaguar will start accepting orders for the new XJ in July with the first deliveries scheduled to begin early next year.

Jaguar has all but confirmed speculation that a new XJ

Jaguar has all but confirmed speculation that a new XJ is due to go into market as early as June 2009 according to statements by Jaguar executives. Jaguar MD Mike O'Driscoll said of the carthat it 'takes, we believe, the luxury saloon to new heights in terms of its technical enhancements'. That was during an event previewing the brand's upcoming new engines.

The vehicle will be a radical design departure for the XJ label, promising to look more like a four-door coupe than a big sedan. Currently Jaguar's superstar car is the XF and Chief Designer Ian Callum had intended for it to take on coupe-like looks even as a four-door sedan. This was achieved partly by getting the rear roofline to slope towards the back more like an XK than a saloon. Similar-looking cars include the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. With the XJ that philosophy will be taken to the next level.

Power sources for the new car will include Jaguar's new 3.0 V6 turbo diesels and petrol V8s. While a supercharged petrol V8 will power the high performance XJ-R, no plans have been made for a diesel V8.

With the XJ the company hopes to enhance its rising position in the world of luxury cars in a segment currently dominated by the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. However, Jaguar is not very interested in going high-volume on its cars, adopting a ‘quality over quantity' attitude instead.

Jaguar XF-R Revealed

Official pictures and details of the new 2010 Jaguar XF-R have finally emerged. The executive British cat was designed to take on cars like the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63/ CLS 63 AMG.

In order to play at this level Jaguar has provided a potent engine for the XF-R in the form of a 5.0-litre V8 with a whirling supercharger plugged into it plus an uprated 6-speed automatic gearbox. The engine produces 510hp (380kW) and 625Nm. In comparison the previous generation S Type R, the XF-R's spiritual predecessor, made 399hp (298kW) from its 4.2-litre supercharged motor. For this power the XF-R gives back a 0 - 60mph time of 4.7 seconds. Jaguar also did a 0 - 100km/h (62 mph) run which came back as 4.9 seconds on the clock. A combined fuel economy of 12.5l/100km (18.8mpg US) is stated by Jaguar.

In terms of specification Jaguar did not skimp on features for their new top-of-the-range XF. Wheels are 20-inch alloys coupled with larger ventilated disc brakes. A new body kit featuring wider side skirts and a bonnet with louvers gives the car a more purposeful stance even when standing still. There's a new front end with a shiny upper mesh grille and a black lower mesh grille. The XF-R also has a new rear spoiler and four round tailpipes. The "R" moniker placed on the four brake calipers as well as the rear end makes it clear where this car stands in the Jaguar hierarchy.

Interior comes with soft grain leather as standard, adjustable sports seats and a dark chequered aluminium trim on the dash. The "R" is also seen just above the glove box and at the bottom of the steering wheel. The XF-R will come with a choice of eight exterior colours including one called Salsa.

More of the Jaguar XF-R will be on display at the North American International Motor Show in Detroit.