Introduced back in 2009, the XJ is now the oldest model in the Jaguar lineup – and the oldest that Jaguar Land Rover still makes. That places it on deck as the next model to be replaced, and our man Theophilus Chin thinks the replacement should look something like this.
The design draws elements from the smaller XF sedan and the new I-Pace concept just revealed at the LA Auto Show last week. It even carries over some visual cues from the current XJ, like the fat C-pillar – but this time it’s been rendered in glass instead of black plastic.
The jury’s still out on what Jaguar will do next with the XJ line. It’s the company’s longest-running nameplate, stretching back to the original Series 1 launched in 1968. But sales have been in decline recently, dropping from over 10,000 units of the previous model sold in the United States alone in 2003 and 2004 to less than 4,000 the past couple of years.
Last month saw Jaguar sell just 335 XJs in America, placing it far behind market leaders like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series that moved in quantities of 2,420 and 1,133, respectively. The XJ’s volume still seems to be enough to motivate the likes of Lexus (with its LS), Maserati (Quattroporte), Hyundai’s new Genesis brand (G90), and Audi (A8) to compete in the market segment, but JLR is expected to be looking to mix things up.
We’ve heard rumors that the next model could be more practical or less, or even stand as a dedicated luxury hybrid. One way or another, Jaguar is sure to pour all of its tech into its next flagship, whatever form it takes. So we’ll be intrigued to see what the Brits cook up when the time comes.
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