Jaguar will clearly be trying to freshen its dated image with R and R-S versions of the company’s new XF sedan, but Jaguar’s revival will consist of more than just high-performance models. Following the XFR’s debut later this month, Jaguar plans to launch an all-new XJ replacement.
Although the new model will replace the XJ, it promises to be a whole new animal. Whereas the current XJ represents Jaguar’s past, the new model will carry the British automaker into modern day.
According to Channel4, the new XJ will take the form of a four-coupe, but will be more along the lines of an XK sedan rather than an XJ replacement. The decision to use sleeker proportions on the new sedan should give Jaguar a viable competitor to Mercedes’ CLS and upcoming models like the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide .
Power for the new sedan will be sourced from Jaguar’s all-new 3.0L diesel V6, as well as a range of gas V8s. A supercharged bent eight will be employed in the high-performance XJR model.
No official word on when we will see the new model, but insiders say the XJ replacement will make its debut sometime in 2009.
