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Though the never-ending advancement of technology is in most respects both a blessing and a necessity for car manufacturers, one aspect of current computer wizardry must have their designers permanently cheesed off – the computer generated images of the next ‘big thing’. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen the ‘exclusive’ banner across the front of weekly automotive magazines with an accompanying and impressive looking shot of the new Mercedes, the new Aston Martin or, as has been the case on several occasions recently, the new Jaguar. Turn inside to read the story and look at the image, however, and in almost every case there will be a small picture credit somewhere or other to an anonymous computer graphics wizard… After numerous ‘exclusive’ new Jaguar sports cars and coupes, the latest new model to have been deemed worthy of computer generated imagery is the forthcoming XJ. In response, Jaguar has done something rather smart – which is to release a single image of the real thing way ahead of its launch in July. The image in question is a genuine overhead shot which, though unsullied by someone else’s imagination, gives just enough away to intrigue without making the launch itself an irrelevance. And when it comes to the launch, it will certainly be an interesting one. I’ve commented before on how unfortunate it is that Jaguar will soon have what should be its best product line up in years, but at a time when the global economy is in meltdown. Nevertheless, there’s no point in putting things back. I’m sure Jaguar’s top brass are currently ordering in brave pills for the months ahead, but I’m equally sure the car will be exceptional.