Jaguar updates its flagship saloon
2008 model year XJ gets aggressive
  2008 Jaguar XJ |
The 2008 model XJ gets a deeper air intake and grille inset into the bumper, along with a new, larger Jaguar growler badge. It gains new side vents to match on the XK, lower body sills and a subtle rear aero spoiler. Over the vents, new door mirrors carry integrated indicator lights.
Design head Ian Callum said: "Every Jaguar must have a distinctive face, something that you cannot mistake if you catch a glimpse of it in your rear-view mirror as it powers up behind you. The new 2008 XJ range meets that challenge thanks to a new grille and bold new bumper style."
There are new 19-inch alloys too, which are standard on the Executive and Sovereign models. The supercharged XJR sports aluminium finish power vents and black painted brake callipers. And there's a new range of colours too.
Inside, heated front seats are standard across the range, and they've been extensively redesigned to offer even more comfort and support, according to Jaguar. All Executive models now come with a heated front screen as standard while the XJR features an ‘R’ gearknob as well as heated front seats with air-cooling, an optional choice for the Executive, Sovereign and Sport Premium models. Rear-seat passengers get more leg and foot room following revisions to the backs and lower cushions of the front seats. All cars feature an upgraded Bluetooth system that allows users to connect up to five mobile phones to the car’s in-car phone system.
UK boss Geoff Cousins said: "XJ sales results in 2006 showed a 25 per cent increase versus 2005 and with these specification enhancements, our customers can benefit from an even better value-for-money proposition. The long wheelbase XJ is now available with a 2.7-litre diesel engine making it an even stronger competitor in the ever-growing chauffeur market and even though an all-new Mercedes S-Class has been launched this year, Business Car readers voted the XJ ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ for the second year running."
Yerrrrr....OK.
If this Jaguar powered up behind me, I'd be looking in my rear view mirror expecting to hear the voice of Ringo Star - it looks like the smiliest of Thomas the Tank Engine's mates.
And those indicators in the mirrors don't look right to me.
And the rear bumber doesn't sit well with the lines of the rest of the car.
Tempting to say lipstick on a pig, but I think a better analogy would be carbuncles on the face of an old friend.
When compared to Callum's XK cars this is now a Jag screaming for a major styling refresh. I'd guess that the true Callum-styled next-generation XJ is some way off if this mid-life type styling tweak has to be done.
Edit: Nope, got it - 911RS / Yellowbird!
Edit 2: Yep, 1-series is pretty close too!
Edit 3: Look close at the first picture - is that 'smile' on the lower grille EXACTLY like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man or what?!?
It doesn't even fit in with the rest of the range. I agree with earlier posts. Do this to a Saxo, not to an XJ.
Looks like someone has been loitering around a salvage yard and found
1 * M3 front bumper
2 * 'custom' saxo wing mirrors
2 * range rover wing vents
1 * big bag of magic m/rooms
End result is certainly something Koenig would be proud of.
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