New XJ and veneers - Question?

[cardigankid]

Saw the new XJ at the Berkeley Hotel in London last week and it looks like quite a machine. I have just one question and I wonder if anyone can answer it.

I am a fan of traditional veneers, like burr walnut, and feel it can go very well in some of the contemporary combinations now available. I see however that the XJ Supersport hasn't got Burr Walnut as an option, it's got Walnut Curl, which is exotic in appearance. It worries me though because it looks more like a graphic effect than real wood, and I believe ( please correct me if I am wrong) that BMW at least produce their 'veneers' photographically, ie they are not really veneers at all, any more than 'aluminium weave' or 'carbon fibre' are veneers. When I want my car made of plastic I will ask, but it won't be soon.

Please someone tell me that Jag are still doing their veneers traditionally and haven't gone down this route.

[Triple7]

For £90k for a SuperSport, Jaguar had better be using real wood! I was also curious about the 'laser' inlay and how that works?

[Simpo Two]

If you take the wood out of a Jaguar, it isn't a Jaguar.

The worrying thing is that as manufacturers strive desperately to get 20-somethings to buy their cars, they feel obliged to strip out the walnut and replace it with carbon fibre or brushed ally. Great in its place, but there are plenty of BMWs and Audis for that...

[a8hex]

The argument about whether Jaguars should have wood has been going on for at least the last 50 years.

Jaguar saloons should have wood.
Jaguar sports cars? well more difficult.
XK120s and 140 had wood on the FHC & DHC models.
The 150 didn't provide wood as an option.
The E follows on this principle.

So is wood traditional in Jaguar sports cars?

I believe the wood in the Mrs' MB is wood, but it doesn't look like it.

[ttphoto]

Trust me it's real wood! I sell them!

[a8hex]

I know, but it is buried under so much "plastic" lacquer it ends up with an un-natural appearance.

[cardigankid]

I know that modern veneers can feel a little plasticky (whereas in an old Mk. 2 it is wood allright and if you aren't careful you will pick up a splinter!) Even Bentleys, which I know ARE wood feel like that.

At heart I just don't believe that Jaguar would do this, but that walnut curl looks so abstract - its very like the 'veneer' in a BMW X5 which I am damn certain isn't. The X350s and old XK, and the S and X Types for that matter are real wood veneer, no question.

Its not that I disbelieve you, Photo, but is there anyone here involved in the manufacturing process who can put it beyond doubt?

[NormanD]

cardigankid said:

Its not that I disbelieve you, Photo, but is there anyone here involved in the manufacturing process who can put it beyond doubt?

I'm not involved with the manufacture of the facias but I have been round the workshop where Jaguar make them in Browns lane (they are still there)

They do use wood, infact we were given some vaneers in the shape of a leeper as a momento
It is Verry thin though

[Simpo Two]

a8hex said:

So is wood traditional in Jaguar sports cars?

I'd suggest that Jaguar don't currently make any sports cars. The F-Type would have been, but that fell to the accountant's pen.

[a8hex]

Simpo Two said:

a8hex said:

So is wood traditional in Jaguar sports cars?

I'd suggest that Jaguar don't currently make any sports cars. The F-Type would have been, but that fell to the accountant's pen.

:-)
true
there are those who would argue that my 150 isn't either.

[Simpo Two]

a8hex said:

there are those who would argue that my 150 isn't either.

You mean a lardy version of the XK120? Fear not, the XK150 is a definite must-have in my fantasy garage I just have to decide bewteen Old English White, Red, or Donald Campbell Blue... (actually the last one migt be unlucky). Red I think. And a nice chunk of tree inside please

[a8hex]

Sorry but you can't have a 150 with wood inside. It looks so wrong.
For the 120 and 140 then the DHC and FHC have real ruddy great lumps of tree, but the dash of the 150 didn't



here's mine.

[Simpo Two]

Great minds etc... here's mine!





(the ally dash is factory fitted, I would have preferred wood but I've got used to it and people seem to like it)

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 3rd March 10:22

[cardigankid]

Now just had one out for a drive (5.0 V8 Portfolio) and it is very good indeed.

Extremely smooth, extremely fast - precise and I would guess extremely agile though we didn't get taking it through the country twisty bits so I was limited to booting it through a few roundabouts. It is essential to be in S with Dynamic Mode on, to get the Jaguar effect.

You very quickly settle into it and it shrinks around you. The cockpit is lovely - truly exotic, though the 'jet' air vents would be nicer in machined aluminium. There have been some comments in the mags about headroom, and I am an extreme case. It is ok in the front but less so in the back. In both cases I think they need to drop the seats by a couple of inches. The seats are better than Jaguars of late, but still not good enough. Recaros should be an option.

From the outside it looks better in a real environment than it does in pictures or a showroom. The car has presence and stance, particularly from the front three quarter, and the Coupe style comes off well. I am not totally used to it yet though.

Edited by cardigankid on Sunday 14th March 10:46

[cardigankid]

And I am sure that the veneers ARE real. The burr elm is fabulous with light leathers.

[Triple7]

I'm getting in them on Tuesday.

The rear seats have been redesigned due to the headroom issue. I would be interested to see if these demos have the new setup? Shame the Supersports aren't available at the mo....