On July 9th, 2009, the world premiere of Jaguar’s all new XJ took place in the Saatchi Gallery, on the Kings Road in London. Jaguar occupied five of the gallery spaces in the state-of-the-art facility to exhibit three new XJs at a special VIP event. More than 600 people – including designers, actors, architects, celebrities and key figures who have been associated with Jaguar over the years – were guests at the event, along with invited customers from Jaguar’s key UK, North American, Russian and Chinese markets. The evening began with a drinks reception. Guests were invited into two of the five gallery spaces. In one, some of the XJ’s technology was artistically shown, including an aluminium sculpture – highlighting the XJ’s aluminium body construction – and an artwork and video installation demonstrating the XJ’s dual-view Touch-screen display. The other gallery featured artisan desks that showed the huge range of new couture trim options, colours and materials available on the car. Guests then moved into the remaining gallery spaces, where the new XJ was revealed. US chat-show host Jay Leno, Jaguar Cars managing director Mike O’Driscoll, and Jaguar design director Ian Callum, hosted the evening.
Following the official launch of the new Jaguar XJ on July 9, 2009, the car will travel the globe for a world tour, featuring appearances at a number of major events. First up is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – one of the world’s prime automotive showcases and social gatherings, held on California’s Monterey Pacific coast on August 16. Next on the XJ’s schedule is the Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show in southern France on September 9-14. The Jaguar XJ will then be shown at the Goodwood Revival in Southern England on September 18-20.
The car retains some of the original XJ length and character, while the hood bulge continues the design language of the XF and XK under head designer Ian Callum. A panoramic roof features on the model, as well as a distinctive departure from the look of XJ’s traditional taillight assembly.
It will be lighter than previous models, due to a next-generation aluminum body architecture. Engine options will include the recently updated twin turbo V6 diesel and the flagship version’s 510 bhp supercharged V8 – similar to that in the XKR and XFR “racing” models from Jaguars lineup.
The firm’s engineering chief Mike Cross spoke more about the new Jaguar XJ dynamics in an interview with Autocar.
Like several of its predecessors the X351 will be available with both standard and long wheelbase.