Jaguar World Magazine XJ Generations March 08 Back Issue

Jaguar’s future owner is still unconfirmed as I
write, but one thing is for certain; given the
number of memorable Jaguar anniversaries
taking place in 2008, when that new owner
does step into the driving seat there will be no
escaping its attention what a responsibility it is
taking on.
Of course, notable Jaguar milestones in 2008
include 60 years of XK and 20 years since the
marque’s last Le Mans win – but perhaps the most
significant milestone in terms of the company’s
present is the fast approaching one of the passing of
40 years since the original XJ was unveiled in 1968,
an anniversary we celebrate in this issue.
The reason the XJ anniversary is so significant is
twofold. Firstly it’s a model that, even today, is still
having an influence on Jaguar design. The grille of
the XF, for example, clearly draws on the design
used for the original XJ. In fact, when the XF was first
unveiled, Jaguar design director, Ian Callum, was
keen to point out: “Cars like the original XJ6 left a
lasting legacy and my ambition has been to create
something as seminal.”
More important still, however, is the fact that the
XJ model line is very much alive and that the
replacement for the current version, which we
expect to see next year, will be the first Jaguar
launched with the company under new ownership.
Clearly, even though today’s design lead times are a
lot less than they would have been in 1968, the
final form for that new XJ will likely have been frozen
by now and so won’t be influenced by Jaguar’s new
owner, although its success once it hits the
showrooms may well be – that we shall only find
out in due course.