Autocar - First for car news and reviews

jonfortwo July 9, 2009 11:23 AM

Please don`t condemn this brave new Jaguar by drawing comparisons with the out of scale and unlovely "Angel of the North". I would suggest that people are proud of what it has come to represents rather than any true artistic merit the actual "angel" offers.

obamabeach July 9, 2009 11:30 AM

Damage limitation Steve. Get your rebuttal in first. This XJ launch will go down more for its textbook media opinion-management than the worth of the car itself. 'Tis the times we live in.

If you think Autocar commentors' reactions are 'vehemently adverse' you should have a butcher's over at a certain competitior magazine where your compatriot Gavin Green resides. For instance:

"Holy Crap! Jaguar has really screwed up at the back. Is it a Citroen? Is it a Yank Limo? Ian Callum couldn't have done worse! How did he weld such a droopy mess onto a sporty Jaguar front end? It's like two seperate(sic) cars with 2 completely different design themes going on. Callum needs a Doctor to check out his schizophrenia! 9/10 front. 3/10 back. Overall a bit of a shambles. 5/10"

- OTT perhaps but I think this commentor is right.

ordinary bloke July 9, 2009 11:30 AM

I agree with your comments about judging this car too soon. There are always nay-sayers of anything that's new and different (sadly we Brits are too good at that) which is strange when you remember all the criticism that the "old" XJ has received over the last few for being old fashioned. On initial impressions I think this new XJ will have a very distinct road presence and won't be mistaken for anything else, which must be a good thing.

ordinary bloke July 9, 2009 11:34 AM

obamabeach - perhaps you should also mention that the contributor that you quote from the CAR forums is as outspoken and vehement as this in almost all his postings, I tend to view most of his comments as deliberately provocative and his others I just ignore as juvenile rantings.

roadtester July 9, 2009 11:53 AM

It's utterly brilliant.

Personally I like the rear a lot - just scaling up the XF's tail was never going to be an option. But the front is outstanding too - much closer to the C-XF concept, and better for it.

It makes the new BMW 7 look really drab.

deepheatthemovie July 9, 2009 11:55 AM

much the same as obamabeach then?

Juleshuffers July 9, 2009 12:09 PM

Living close to Gaydon and driving the test route used by jag on my route to work, I've seen the heavily disgised prototype for some weeks now, and although it was disguised, it is an impossing shape. Large, taller than you would expect but somehow looking low. A great overall shape and people will quickly adjust to the detail as they did with the,dare I say it, the Sierra. I'm sure in the long run it will go down as a classic.

W124 July 9, 2009 1:00 PM

This is a serious *** up man. There's no other way of painting it. It will only look at home in Florida and might sell well in the US, sadly the exchange rate is somewhat against JLR there. I so, so wanted to like it. Disaster.

PoleDancer July 9, 2009 1:56 PM

I am sorry Steve, I know you're playing devil's advocate here, but let's face facts - no one spared the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera when they were released, why should we spare the XJ? The fact is the rear is just awkward and unbecoming of the otherwise interesting shape, and worse still, it's not even original - it's derivative of the monstrosity that was the Bentley Zagato GTZ!

Moorrow July 9, 2009 1:56 PM

This is a bold design and an adventurous step forward.  Well done Jaguar.

shortbread July 9, 2009 2:29 PM

Considering the ugliness of the 7 series and the blandness of the LS, S and the A8, this is by far the best looker, although I haven't seen this in flesh either.

roadtester July 9, 2009 2:29 PM

"no one spared the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera when they were released, why should we spare the XJ?"

Err...because the Cayenne and the Panamera look crap while the Jaguar looks absolutely brilliant?

David Harrington-Wright July 9, 2009 2:40 PM

I'll take one, in black.

cannot wait to see it in the metal though, I think the overall shape is just lovely, and design / appearance is always subjective - some will love it some will hate - I mean, how many Bangle BMW's have been sold and yet we are continually told he was wrong?

trocadero July 9, 2009 2:42 PM

I totally agree with ordinary bloke, the quote from obamabeach that tries clumsily to attribute to Gavin Green @ CAR is actually from the poster who goes by the name of "Johnnybimmer" on car forums and is/was  "jjboxster" and probably "404not found" on here.

For the record, I like what I have seen so far of the new XJ.

Sandy T July 9, 2009 4:16 PM

Sorry to be controversial but I like it. Will take advice & wait to see it in the flesh but based on the first photos it's fresh, different and slightly intimidating; that squared off grille section and heavy-haunches - all in common with yet utterly removed from the original XJ.

Adz911 July 9, 2009 4:23 PM

I'm not really a Jaguar man and I'd rather stick to my boring and predictable BMWs. That being said, I love this new XJ.  Looks far better than it's rivals, and seeing as Jaguar has been on a bit of a roll lately in terms of handling, I expect it to be better than it's rivals as well. So OK the back is a little controversial, but this is a huge step for Jag. Yes there are people who are going to moan about how it's not a "real" Jaguar, but let's face it, Jaguar has finally moved on from its dull tweed suits into the generation of Armani. I love it.

North July 9, 2009 4:30 PM

Cropley; I like this car, but this is hardly unbiassed reporting; no matter what you think people are entitled to their opinion....it might be different to yours and it might mean that the car is completely stoned.

But you do not defend anyone elses car like this.....and if i recall, you cannot buy or drive the angle of the North; thus your fellow Autocar bod is a peanut i.e. got the wrong analogy.

At the end of the day these are the folks that will be buying the car and they have opinions that really count.....it might be that no one likes the car and thus not many people buy it......but that is in the design of it.

As said I really like it, I think Jag have broken the mould here and Jag are looking good again, they need a new X Type and people carrier, its modern and edgy, I love it......but some people do not.....deal with it, they are entitlted to their opinion.

deepheatthemovie July 9, 2009 4:35 PM

@North- WTF?

Corbs July 9, 2009 4:49 PM

I think it looks great from all angles, bit of Bentley, a bit of Quatroporte from the rear, all together very nice lines. If I had the money right now, I'd order one in a  flash !

michael knight July 9, 2009 5:40 PM

'angle of the North'...what is that - about 30degress?

I agree Cropley, but in a way it's an indicator of how new and, dare i say, revolutionary this Jag is (at least for the marque), that so many are up in arms. I think it's a brave move, and I like it so far.  

camel76 July 9, 2009 6:14 PM

Another reason not to buy the usual clinically boring, if dynamically excellent, German fare.

The new Jag looks fine to me. It is different and distinctive and will appeal given time. If it drives as well as all you road testers say the XF does then Jaguar will have a winner.

Nice to see a real challenge to the Germans.

kdwilcox July 9, 2009 7:51 PM

Here we go,the new Jag pics are out and quite a few are saying it's rubbish,for gods sake wait till you see it in the metal.

Steve is right give it a little time before you judge it,and as for Obamabeach  all he seems to go on about is Car mag and its writers.

He also moans a lot about Autocar,well if he thinks it's that bad why the bloody hell his he on it all the time??.

As for the car,well,it looks ok to me.

bol July 9, 2009 8:02 PM

Generally I really like it. I like the fact that as Merecedes, VW and Audi all try out an  XJ pastiche, Jag are trying out a muscular C6. Not sure about the nouveau vinyl roof effect though?

North July 9, 2009 8:19 PM

@ deepheatthemovie; basically you cannot stop people having different views nor can you make them all like the same thing or do things in the same way; fact...accept it.

Furthermore, I do not recall such an outburst by Autocar i.e. love the Jag....I happen to really like the new Jag, but is that not an abuse of position? they are shamelessly plugging this motor......they do not defend other motors as such....people will always like it or not and the majority (inc. me) really like it....thus do not undestand the need for SC's article - pointless.

Overall, the idea is that you place the pictures out there and people will comment on them....accept that or do not do that.

Charlie Boy July 9, 2009 11:30 PM

The new Jaguar XJ is a stunning design both inside and out but I am sorry to say that the rear just doesn't gel. I am the Senior Editor for dailycarblog.com and I can say what Cropley will avoid for fear of upsetting Jaguar and subsequently being cold shouldered by them. I do not have a relationship to manage with Jaguar and therefore can reflect what is really on the minds of the reader.

lbft July 10, 2009 1:11 AM

Beautiful!! Love the modern exterior and the high tech yet gorgeous interior. Good job Jaguar!

tdm1 July 10, 2009 7:37 AM

I think it is absolutely brilliant. Pushing boundries often brings criticismof the unfamiliar, but well done Jaguar for being brave and undoubtedly introducing an awful lot of new younger Jaguar customers!

trocadero July 10, 2009 8:50 AM

@north

"@ deepheatthemovie; basically you cannot stop people having different views nor can you make them all like the same thing or do things in the same way; fact...accept it."

Quite old chap, but you don't or won't accept others opinions either. Q.E.D!

Moorrow July 10, 2009 9:49 AM

Refreshing to see some positive comments. Having watched the reports on the TV the car looks absolutely stunning.  

During these difficult times it's also good to see Jaguar being so positive.  I'm sure it will be a winner.

theop July 10, 2009 12:32 PM

I think its the most good looking 4door sedan in the market today. Absolutely stunning. Can't wait to see it in the flesh. Can you imagine in black with beige leather inside... wow

Panamera (is it the same category I wonder) will def lose some sales from this...

gds54 July 10, 2009 1:56 PM

I think it's good that Jaguar are creating these brave new cars. I was a sceptic of the XF at first, but it is now one of my favourite cars on the market today - particularly in R spec. However, I'm not soo keen on this new XJ. I was actually a big fan of the current model, although many slated its old fashioned looks. I think the back of the new model looks far too off and mis-proportioned, although I think the opposite of the front half. It looks very agressive and sleek.

resarf July 10, 2009 2:51 PM

Like Steve says reserve judgement until you see it in the flesh.  So far I think the car looks fresh and moves the game on.  Thumbs up from me.

tony2x July 10, 2009 7:11 PM

@Charlie Boy:  Have you ever read Autocar?!  I've been a reader of that mag for years and have never known them to kowtow to the wishes of a manufacturer for fear of the cold shoulder.  As the oldest and arguably the most respected automotive publication in the UK (perhaps the world?) the manufacturers would not risk the adverse publicity they would get from attempting to sway the opinions of the journos one way or the other.

Whilst not Autocar, do you remember when MG Rover tried to stop another publication/TV show from reviewing the TERRIBLE CityRover? They dispatched one of their presenters with a hidden camera to take one on a test drive and did a 'secret road test'.  That cost MGR far more in bad publicity than had they given over one to them to rip apart.  That is what happens when you try and control the motoring press.

Were you able to secure an invitation to the launch and actually see the car in the metal?  If you did then I accept your opinion on the rear end, but if you are relying on the same press shots that we're looking at then I'd ask that you reserve judgment until you get to see it in the metal as Mr Cropley has.

PS. Steve, can I have my twenty quid to the usual address please? :D

bmacy July 12, 2009 2:27 PM

When the last XJ was launched it was almost universally slated for being safe, derivative, boring, 'old school', unadventurous etc. This new model is bold, exciting, innovative and contemporary. It's everything the old model wasn't and it had to be in order to succeed. Lets face it, the old model is a good car but hardly successful. The new one, I think, will be a big seller;, I'm sure the Americans will love it and we will too, after a short period of adjustment. I wasn't sure about the XF when I first saw pictures of it, but now, every time I see one on the road, I have to have a second or third look. I'm sure the XJ effect will be similar. It's fab-tastic and I want one - now! PS, how boring do BMW and Mercedes rivals look now!!!

Woland July 12, 2009 5:33 PM

I'm glad there are people who like the design of the new XJ - hopefully it will sell well as a result. But I'm not one of them.

At the best of times it looks like the ill-begotten love child of a Citroen C6, a large Lexus and an XF, which hasn't produced the most gracious of designs, but really anyone with any grasp of aesthetics is going to find that rear end problematic. The c-pillar covers are just bafflingly awful and the rear lights have been nicked from something large, Korean and fugly. And the numberplate should be above the bumperline.

vidfletch July 12, 2009 6:50 PM

It's the dogs *** and everyone knows it but some won't admit it. Like the XF, it doesn't look like an old Jag. Good. If you want an XJ that looks like an old one then buy an old one!

averageman July 15, 2009 8:22 AM

Poledancer, you say "no one spared the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera when they were released, why should we spare the XJ?"

This is true but remember the new XJ, love it or loathe it, is nevertheless an interesting and imposing design approach and a far departure from its predecessor.  The Panamera and Cayenne by comparison are variations of a tried and tested theme.

Porsche could have done more with the stying of the cars in question but chose not to.  It sometimes feels as if they are saying "We are Porsche and can give the punters what WE want, as opposed to what THEY want"

Their engineering is faultless but the cars have all followed the same template