Last night there was a big party at the Saatchi gallery to launch the new Jaguar XJ hosted by American talk show host and car fanatic Jay Leno.
My invitation was lost in the post, but I'm sure it was a flash do. The next XJ is certainly an important new car for Jaguar, which isn't having a good time right now.
The XJ really needed a proper replacement. The big Jag has always been a nice car but, unfortunately, it's always looked the same. Even the current one, which is a very sexy big saloon, looks similar to the XJ that was launched in 1968.
And punters who lash out 50 grand on a posh saloon are not too chuffed if you can buy one that looks like it off eBay for the price of a dog collar.
The new XJ looks totally different. First, it's got a long glass roof that creates a very bright interior. Inside there's all the luxury you'd expect in a Jag including various options of leather and wood.
And while lots of designers bang on about 'wraparound' dashboards, the new XJ's really does. I'm looking forward to seeing the 'virtual' instruments working.
There are several audio and infotainment options including a 1200 watt Bowers and Wilkins hi-fi. No, I hadn't heard of them either. Sounds like a shortbread biscuit maker.
Both standard and long wheelbase versions will be available when the car goes on sale
early next year. If you've been in an old XJ you'll remember that there's hardly enough rear legroom for kids let alone a couple of lanky businessmen.
The new car apparently has ample and the LWB version an extra 125mm. The boot, usually a XJ weakpoint, is 520 litres.
Half of the aluminium chassis is made from recycled metal, so some bloke could be driving round in your old beer cans.
Under the bonnet there's a choice of a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 diesel, the 5.0-litre V8 and a supercharged version of the latter with 470bhp. I imagine that one day there'll be an R version with a bit more.
As the diesel version can do 40mpg it's going to be most popular. A Jag shouldn't just go fast, but should handle well with a comfortable ride. The new XJ comes with a wardrobe full of gadgetry including air suspension and variable damping as well as heaps of clever electronics.
If it drives as well as the smaller XF, it'll be a job well done. I'm looking forward to finding out if it does.
1968
In September the Series 1 XJ was launched. A 2.8-litre six-cylinder was standard and a 4.2-litre was optional. Air-con was only available on the 4.2.
1972
A V12-powered version was launched, the XJ12. It was so smooth you could barely hear the engine. Sometimes that wasn't because it had run out of fuel - usually it was.
1974
The Series 2 arrives, looking a lot like the Series 1. A two-door coupe arrives that looks even better but it leaked water and wasn't well made.
1979
Series 3 launched. Amazingly it looks a lot like the 2 but with bigger rubber bumpers. The 5.3-litre V12 is still fitted along with the 3.4 and 4.2-litre straight sixes.
1986
XJ40 launched. Hideous, with square headlamps. The only XJ that isn't svelte and sexy.
1995
The X300 arrives - the XJ is sexy again. Ford is in charge and quality is improving.
1997
Now it gets confusing as the X305 facelift replaces the X300. It still looks a lot like the
1968 Series 1. The big news was the new V8 engine.
2003
I'm running out of puff and space so we'll wind up with the X350 which was novel in that it used aluminium for its body (It still looked like the 1968 SJ). This car was given a facelift a year or so ago to keep it alive until the new X351 arrived.
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