How interesting to clock initial reactions to the shape of the new Jaguar XJR, which are now on our website.
I’m surprised to see that many of them are adverse — vehemently so — despite the fact that almost without exception the commentators haven’t seen the car in the flesh, or even viewed a wide selection of views of it yet.
See more pictures and read details of the new Jaguar XJ here - Jaguar XJ: full details and pics
The car is certainly different. Design boss Ian Callum has been promising us a rule-breaking XJ styling job for two years. But I believe there’s no case for criticising it just because it looks different.
One of the unbreakable rules about car styling is that you don’t truly know how you feel about it until a) you’ve seen it in the flesh and from all angles, and b) you’ve seen it in the traffic, against its peers.
Our art editor, Peter Charles, who knows about such things, refers to something he calls “Angel of the North” syndrome. When the idea of placing Anthony Gormley’s mighty sculpture beside the A1 was first mooted, many people were vehemently opposed to it and said so, very loudly. Now, says Peter, it’s a much-loved landmark and if anyone tried to take it down there’d be a riot.
Join the debate
averageman
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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
vidfletch
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
It's the dogs bollocks 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!
Woland
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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.
bmacy
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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!!!
BeeM001
tony2x
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
@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
resarf
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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.
gds54
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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.
theop
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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...
Moorrow
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
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.
trocadero
re: Don't judge the new Jaguar XJ too soon
@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!
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