RE: Jaguar reveals XJ50 Anniversary Edition

RE: Jaguar reveals XJ50 Anniversary Edition

Wednesday 25th April 2018

Jaguar reveals XJ50 Anniversary Edition

Half century of Jaguar's iconic saloon marked with... a diesel special edition?!



Here's a question: has there ever been a cooler big saloon than the Jaguar XJ? Sure, the old Mercs were quite something in their time, and the original A8 was groundbreaking, but arguably nothing has struck the right chord with the right people for so long as an XJ. Even nearly 10 years after its launch, the current car looks great and is unashamedly driver focused - a cool aspect in itself, given the drive towards autonomy.

Anyway, deflecting attention away from the fact that car hasn't yet been replaced is this, the XJ50 Anniversary Edition. No prizes for guessing that this car celebrates half a century of XJ production, nor are there any for knowing that there have been eight generations of XJ in that time. Highlights since 1968 include a period as the world's only mass produced 12-cylinder four-door car, the two-door XJ coupe from 1975 and the aluminium monocoque technology from 2003.


Back in the present day and the XJ50 doesn't usher in anything quite so dramatic, though as mentioned Jaguar must have one eye on its replacement. Marking out the XJ50 from those big Jags that aren't anniversary specials are features such as 20-inch wheels, new XJ50 badges, a black grille and bumpers from the Autobiography. The interior continues that theme, with an embossed leaper on the headrests of the diamond quilted seats, plus a smattering of XJ50 insignia where you'd expect to find them.

The sole powertrain option for the XJ50 is the 300hp 3.0-litre diesel, which will disappoint a few who fancied an XJR based valedictory edition. It will be offered in short and long wheelbases, with a colour palette of Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue and Rosello Red.


Ian Callum said of the XJ: This is a car worth celebrating and the XJ50 pays homage to a giant within the Jaguar brand that we believe is one of the world's most stylish sporting saloons." Obviously he would say that, having designed it, but here we'd be inclined to agree - it really does look fab.

Should you wish to join in the 50th birthday celebrations, the XJ50 costs from £74,280 and can be ordered now. However, should you be an impatient party person, you probably don't need reminding that there are some outrageously good deals available on secondhand XJs - take a look here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author
Discussion

Twoshoe

Original Poster:

847 posts

183 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
"the world's only mass produced car" - eh?

Dale487

1,334 posts

122 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Twoshoe said:
"the world's only mass produced car" - eh?
I thought the same - I feel there's a history lesson we're missing out on.

Turbobanana

6,160 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
"Anyway, deflecting attention away from the fact that car hasn't yet replaced is this, the XJ50 Anniversary Edition. No prizes for guessing that this car celebrates half a century of XJ production, nor are there any for knowing that there have been eight generations of XJ in that time. Highlights since 1968 include a period as the world's only mass produced car, the two-door XJ coupe from 1975 and the aluminium monocoque technology from 2003."

Proof-reading department still on their Easter break, are they? smile

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Dale487 said:
Twoshoe said:
"the world's only mass produced car" - eh?
I thought the same - I feel there's a history lesson we're missing out on.
Sorry! That is of course total bks. It was missing the rather crucial '12-cylinder, four-door' bit before 'mass produced car'. Apologies...


Matt

Chafford1

211 posts

230 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
The V6 and V8 575 petrol versions of the XJ have disappeared from the configurator.

JaguarsportXJR

235 posts

142 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Diesel? confused

...

...

...


DIESEL?!?!?!? mad

JaguarsportXJR

235 posts

142 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Chafford1 said:
The V6 and V8 575 petrol versions of the XJ have disappeared from the configurator.
Strange. The 575 was definitely still there yesterday as I specced one up.

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

155 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Like the idea of one of these, older, petrol, but have JLR ever sorted the reliability?

Dale487

1,334 posts

122 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Matt Bird said:
Dale487 said:
Twoshoe said:
"the world's only mass produced car" - eh?
I thought the same - I feel there's a history lesson we're missing out on.
Sorry! That is of course total bks. It was missing the rather crucial '12-cylinder, four-door' bit before 'mass produced car'. Apologies...


Matt
I assume, that was at the time - as haven't BMW & Mercedes made mass produced V12s? (Or are they technically hand made?)

Charlie Croker mk2

280 posts

99 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Yes Diesel , still by far the best for most cars other than really tiny cars . Don't believe the tax collectors who think they are loosing out on revenue . Modern driving is all about torque and not having to rev away to make progress !

P-Jay

10,551 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
It's a nice looking car, but £75k for that, or a Pre-Reg, 5 miles on the clock 'Premium Luxury' version on the link for £40k. Tough choice...

indapendentlee

401 posts

98 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Also known as the "WLTP is coming, we need to flog some diesels that are just sitting on the shelf" edition...

Chafford1

211 posts

230 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
indapendentlee said:
Also known as the "WLTP is coming, we need to flog some diesels that are just sitting on the shelf" edition...
Probably the reason why the petrol engine versions have been removed from the configurator.

B10

1,226 posts

266 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Must be that Jaguar be about to launch the new 6 cylinder engines. Any inside knowledge?

FourWheelDrift

88,381 posts

283 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
B10 said:
Must be that Jaguar be about to launch the new 6 cylinder engines. Any inside knowledge?
Probably doing the same as they have with the XE and XF - https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/ja...

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
JaguarsportXJR said:
Diesel? confused

...

...

...


DIESEL?!?!?!? mad
Quite. Should've been a V8-powered run-out special imho.

Dale487

1,334 posts

122 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
indapendentlee said:
Also known as the "WLTP is coming, we need to flog some diesels that are just sitting on the shelf" edition...
Money For Old Rope Edition

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Anyone get the impression someone appears to be scuppering Jaguar from the inside?

The ranges get ever duller and the only imagination seems to be towards SUVs. Which is fine, and mirrors the market......except for the fact that they have arguably the worlds leading SUV brand in their stable??

Either that or someone mixed the 'Good ideas' folder up with the 'fk don't to this' folder??

Even tweed trilby wearing former Rover drivers are shaking their heads in disbelief.


Black S2K

1,462 posts

248 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Chafford1 said:
indapendentlee said:
Also known as the "WLTP is coming, we need to flog some diesels that are just sitting on the shelf" edition...
Probably the reason why the petrol engine versions have been removed from the configurator.
Apparently, quite a few desirable (read fuel-thirsty) variants have also quietly disappeared from others' configurators too. Not just a lot of Jaguars...

FourWheelDrift

88,381 posts

283 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Jaguar says petrol and diesel XJ50s here, dated today - https://media.jaguar.com/news/2018/04/xj50-celebra...

"Available in both standard and long wheelbase with a choice of 3.0-litre petrol (340PS) and diesel (300PS) powertrains,"

XJ50 press kit says "The unique model is powered by a choice of 340PS 3.0-litre V6 petrol or 300PS 3.0-litre diesel powerplants. These engines provide dynamic performance with 0-100km/h times of 5.9 seconds (0-60mph in 5.7 seconds) and 6.2 seconds (0-60mph in 5.9 seconds) respectively.
In North America customers can also choose the 510PS 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine which is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds (0-60mph in 4.7 seconds). "

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 25th April 14:14