Jaguar didn’t have any new metal on the floor, but
it did use the Frankfurt Motor Show to tease the next-generation XJ. Briefly shown during the Land
Rover Defender presentation, the teaser image shows the flagship sedan will
have a bold rear end with slender taillights that span the entire width of the
vehicle. The model also has prominent Jaguar badging and what appears to be a
trunk with an integrated spoiler.
The overall design appears to be an evolution of the
styling language used on the facelifted XE. This will likely appease fans as
the rear end of the current XJ – which went out of production earlier this year
– was highly controversial as critics complained about the odd taillights and
blacked out rear pillars.
While Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth talked about
the car for a little bit, his words were drowned out by the host of the
Defender presentation. This is unfortunate, but Jaguar has already said the
sedan will have a “beautiful design, intelligent performance and revered
luxury.”
More importantly, the company has confirmed plans
for an electric variant which will be based on the Modular Longitudinal
Architecture. A previous presentation showed electric vehicles based on that
platform will have a 90.2 kWh battery pack which will give them a range of up
to 470 km. The presentation also suggested upcoming electric
vehicles will have a motor at each axle and this will give them all-wheel
drive.
Jaguar is already upgrading its Castle Bromwich
plant to accommodate the next-generation XJ and the model could be introduced
sometime next year.
