Planned Jaguar XJ electric version also cancelled.
About 52 years ago a luxury Jaguar sedan was released, the XJ for the the aristocrats and royals to be transported in comfort. This car made its way across all the British colonies and was an instant hit with the rich and influential. It was the next best vehicle after a Rolls Royce and stayed in production for a long 24 years.
As the years progressed it evolved and reached across the globe and was respected and admired for its class, comfort and power delivery. After all, it was a Jaguar. The Series 1 XJ had major updates in 1973 and 1979 giving it an extended life.
Originally it came with a straight-six engine that had originally been seen in the XK120 and E-Type sports cars, while Jaguar’s famous V12 was fitted from 1972 onwards in the Series 2. Further refinements were made for the Series 3 that arrived in 1979, and this version remained on sale until 1992.
Then some ten years ago a brand new XJ arrived, codenamed X351 to compete side by side with the popular German luxury brands. Designed and built to challenge the Lexus LS, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 thanks to its dramatic styling, composed driving dynamics and high-class cabin, this new XJ sold well.
This Jaguar XJ came with a low driving position, wraparound cockpit and sharp handling which earned it the title ‘best driver’s car’ in its class.
Revisions in 2018 saw the range trimmed back, with the biggest casualty being the supercharged Jaguar XJR performance model. The 5.0-litre V8-powered car was no longer part of the range, and there were no longer any XJ model that was petrol powered. Instead, Jaguar’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel was used with an 8-speed auto gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
With a total ban of combustion engines for England by 2030, plus tougher European emissions laws and the general move by all European car manufacturers to move towards electric powered mobility, Jaguar in late 2020 announced a full electric all new XJ for 2022 with a possible 500 kilometer driving range. A concept was shown in 2020 with a Land Rover shared powertrain. Current XJ owners had a new vehicle to look forward to.
Now comes news that Jaguar management has cancelled this all electric XJ luxury sedan and will instead concentrate on their electric powered SUV’s. The popular Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV, which is manufactured under contract by Magna Steyr in Austria will continue production and the next new electric jaguar SUV’s will be built at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich factory near Birmingham.
So, the next question is the future of the XE and XF sedans. Will they both also get retired in favor of a range of SUV’s, all battery powered?
